dailycast

Unbiased headline news for Thursday February 8, 2024 – The U.S. killed a senior leader of the Iran-backed group Kataib Hezbollah in a strike in Iraq, a senior official confirmed. The individual targeted was a commander who was in charge of operations in Syria. U.S. Central Command, which is responsible for the Middle East, said in a statement that the targeted commander was “responsible for directly planning and participating in attacks on U.S. forces in the region.” — Following nearly five years of litigation and three trials, a 49-year-old man has been sentenced by a judge in far eastern Russia to eight years’ imprisonment for practicing his Jehovah’s Witnesses faith. Dmitriy Barmakin of Vladivostok was sentenced in a Primorye Territory courtroom, according to his church and the Moscow-based think tank SOVA Center for Information and Analysis, making it the second time in his three trials that he has been sentenced to a penal colony, after his original sentence was overturned last April. — Former Fox News commentator Tucker Carlson confirmed Tuesday that he will be interviewing Russian President Vladimir Putin. He claimed to be the first person from Western media to do so since the start of Moscow’s invasion into Ukraine nearly two years ago, although the Kremlin disputed that he was the first one to try. In a statement posted to social media, Carlson said he will interview Putin “because it’s our job. We’re in journalism. Our duty is to inform people.” “Western governments will certainly do their best to censor this video … Because that’s what they do,” Carlson adds in the video. — Minnesota has reached a settlement with Eli Lilly and Co. in a price gouging lawsuit against the country’s three biggest insulin manufacturers that guarantees that Minnesotans can now buy Lilly-produced insulin for only $35 a month for the next five years, Attorney General Keith Ellison announced. The settlement is likely to benefit as many as 500,000 residents whether they have insurance or not, and it covers all Lilly brand-name insulin products, Ellison said at a news conference. Litigation remains pending against two other manufacturers named in the 2018 lawsuit, Sanofi-Aventis and Novo Nordisk. — Two officers were shot while responding to an emergency call about an injured minor at a Pennsylvania residence, officials said Wednesday. A 911 caller reported that an 11-year-old girl had been shot at the residence in East Lansdowne, according to Delaware County District Attorney Jack Stollsteimer. While responding to the home Wednesday afternoon, the officers were “immediately met by gunfire,” Stollsteimer told reporters during a press briefing. The two male officers, who were with the East Lansdowne and Lansdowne police departments, each sustained a single gunshot wound, Stollsteimer said. — The ride-sharing company Uber has posted a profit for the first time since going public in 2019, the company announced. The company posted a net income of $1.43 billion in the fourth quarter after the benefit of $1 billion from investors, Uber said in a statement. This marks the first time that Uber has earned money from its operations. The company reported $595 million in profit during the same period last year, and the profit announcement was higher than Wall Street had anticipated. — American and Chinese officials committed Tuesday to working together to stem the flow of fentanyl into the United States, the head of a visiting U.S. delegation said. Their meeting was a hopeful sign of cooperation as the two global powers try to better manage their contentious ties. The U.S. is seeking more information sharing and law enforcement cooperation and the designation and control of made-in-China chemicals that are ingredients for fentanyl made elsewhere, said Jen Daskal, a deputy homeland security advisor in the White House. — For the first time in more than two decades, Mexico last year surpassed China as the leading source of goods imported to the United States. The shift reflects the growing tensions between Washington and Beijing as well as U.S. efforts to import from countries that are friendlier and closer to home. Figures released Wednesday by the U.S. Commerce Department show that the value of goods imported to the United States from Mexico rose nearly 5% from 2022 to 2023, to more than $475 billion. — Motorists on a Nevada highway encountered an uncommon traffic disruption as an overturned truck scattered cans and bottles of Dr. Pepper and 7Up across the roadway. According to the Nevada State Police, the incident occurred on Interstate 80, between Mogul and Garson in the Reno area. The truck, overturning on its side, spilled crates filled with Dr. Pepper and 7Up containers onto the road. Fortunately, there were no reported injuries resulting from the truck crash or the subsequent soda spill.

Unbiased headline news for Wednesday February 7, 2024 – British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak informed BBC News that King Charles’ cancer was “detected early,” and the monarch is expected to recover. Sunak, who stays in regular contact with the king, expressed shock and sadness during a cabinet meeting on Tuesday. He conveyed his well wishes, stating, “All of our thoughts would be with His Majesty, and we wish him a speedy recovery.” — Seaborne Houthi rebels targeted a British cargo ship sailing in the Red Sea off Yemen, causing minor damage without injuring crew members. The incident unfolded when the ship’s master observed a small craft alongside just seconds before a “projectile” was fired at the Port side. The Royal Navy’s United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations reported slight damage to the windows of the bridge in an attack alert. — Florida Representative Matt Gaetz announced a resolution asserting that former President Donald Trump did not engage in insurrection on January 6th, 2021. The nonbinding resolution could influence legal efforts to remove Trump from primary ballots due to the 14th Amendment. Gaetz, a fervent Trump supporter, shared that the ex-president is “thrilled” with 63 Republican lawmakers supporting the measure. — Four bolts designed to secure the door plug on a Boeing 737 Max 9 were missing before it detached during an Alaska Airlines flight last month, according to the National Transportation Safety Board’s preliminary report. Boeing records reviewed by the NTSB revealed that damaged rivets on the edge frame were replaced by Spirit AeroSystems employees at Boeing’s factory in Renton, Washington, on Sept. 19, 2023. — A Tennessee legislative staffer has been placed on leave after an incident involving Democratic state Representative Justin Jones, who claimed the staffer yelled at him in a hallway. Jones, known nationally for being one of two Democrats expelled for participating in a protest on gun control, filed a complaint recounting the staffer confronting and yelling at him in the hallway until another lawmaker intervened. — A deputy shot and killed a man Tuesday after he took people hostage and claimed to have a bomb at a Florida bank, according to authorities. The Lee County Sheriff’s Office responded to a Bank of America branch in Fort Myers shortly before noon. Sheriff Carmine Marceno, during a news conference, mentioned the deployment of a robodog, the SWAT team, electronic surveillance, and drones. Fortunately, no injuries were reported to any hostages or deputies. — The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention issued a food safety alert for recalled cheeses, yogurts, and sour creams potentially linked to a multistate outbreak of listeria that has sickened 26, hospitalized 23, and left two people dead. Rizo-López Foods issued a voluntary recall on Monday for all cheeses and other dairy products made in its Modesto facility due to potential contamination with Listeria monocytogenes. The company provided a contact number, 1-833-296-2233, monitored 24 hours a day for consumer inquiries. — ESPN, Warner Discovery, and Fox Sports announced Tuesday a partnership to create a massive new streaming network dedicated to sports. The service, scheduled to launch in the fall, will include broadcasts from the NFL, NBA, MLB, NHL, and other professional sports leagues. According to a joint news release by the three companies, the streaming service will be available via an app, with customers having the option of bundling it with Disney+, Hulu, and/or Max. — After being lost for four decades, a wallet was reunited with an Ontario family when it was discovered in an air duct at a storage facility. Andrew Medley, working on a storage unit at Eaton Centre in Toronto, found the wallet and traced its owner through Facebook. Despite initial attempts to contact the woman and her daughter, Vanessa Austin, being unsuccessful, Medley, before leaving town, located Austin on LinkedIn and personally delivered the well-preserved wallet to her workplace. Austin marveled at the wallet’s condition, noting that it appeared untouched for the entire 40-year period. Among its contents were precious items such as photographs, Austin’s birth certificate, and immigration paperwork from the family’s arrival from El Salvador.

Latest News Headlines for Tuesday February 6, 2024 – Republican presidential candidate Nikki Haley has requested Secret Service protection due to a rise in security threats, as reported in several sources this week. The request follows two recent “swatting” incidents at Haley’s residence on Kiawah Island, one of which occurred while her elderly parents and their caregiver were present. In these incidents, police arrived with drawn guns in response to false reports of violence, known as “swatting.” Haley’s call for protection underscores the escalating security concerns for public figures. — U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken met with Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman during a crucial four-day Middle East trip focused on resolving the hostage situation in Gaza and seeking a prolonged ceasefire in the Israel-Hamas conflict. In Riyadh, Blinken highlighted the need to address Gaza’s humanitarian crisis and prevent further escalation of the conflict, according to State Department spokesman Matthew Miller. The trip, which runs through Thursday, includes visits to Egypt, Qatar, Israel, and the West Bank, marking Blinken’s fifth trip to the region since the conflict began on October 7th. — An Iraq-based militia group, supported by Iran, took responsibility on Monday for a drone attack on an eastern Syrian base used by U.S. forces, which resulted in the deaths of six allied Kurdish fighters. This attack, which did not result in American casualties, is seen as the first major retaliation by Iran-backed groups against U.S. airstrikes in the region. The U.S. initiated these strikes on Friday against militias within the Islamic Resistance in Iraq as a response to escalated attacks on American bases. — A group of migrants was arrested in the Bronx late Monday night for a spree of citywide crimes, including the theft of women’s phones, as reported by the New York Police Department. The police executed a search warrant at a suspected hideout and apprehended seven suspects. These individuals are expected to face multiple robbery and grand larceny charges. The suspects, believed to be from Venezuela, are linked to at least 62 cases of women being robbed of their pocketbooks and phones, according to police statements. — An Oklahoma jury awarded $25 million to Scott Sapulpa after finding a local newspaper guilty of defaming him by mistakenly identifying him as the announcer who made racist comments during a 2021 girls basketball game broadcast. The Muskogee County jury granted Sapulpa $5 million in actual damages and an additional $20 million in punitive damages. Sapulpa’s attorney, Michael Barkett, expressed relief and hope for his client’s reputation restoration. The jury determined that the newspaper acted with actual malice, which allowed for punitive damages to be considered. — South Dakota prosecutors have charged a man with first-degree murder and aggravated eluding in connection with the death of a deputy during a high-speed chase. Joseph Gene Hoek, 40, is accused of killing Moody County Chief Deputy Ken Prorok, 51, while evading police using tire spikes. At his first court appearance, Hoek was held without bail. South Dakota Attorney General Marty Jackley, who is personally prosecuting the case, mentioned the need for further investigation into mitigating factors. — A McDonald’s franchisee agreed to a $4.4 million settlement with a teenage girl who sued over sexual assault by a restaurant manager, a registered sex offender, in Pittsburgh, as announced by the victim’s lawyers on Monday. The agreement compensates the girl, who was 14 at the time of the 2021 assault by Walter A. Garner in the restaurant’s bathroom. Garner, now 44, had previously been imprisoned and was listed on the Megan’s Law website for sexually assaulting a minor. — The San Francisco 49ers have expressed concerns about the state of their practice field assigned for the Super Bowl week, citing it as too soft. An inside source revealed the team’s worries, particularly since sod was recently placed over the turf field at UNLV for their use this week. The source, choosing to remain anonymous, shared this information amid the absence of official statements from the NFL or the 49ers on the matter. — In Michigan, firefighters successfully saved two deer that had fallen through weak ice on a frozen lake. The incident, reported by the Plainfield Township Fire Department on Facebook, involved collaborative efforts with the Cannon Township Fire Department. The deer were found stranded on the ice of Versluis Lake at Versluis Park in Grand Rapids. Rescue efforts were captured in a video, showing firefighters employing a hovercraft to access the deer floundering in the icy waters. Once brought to shore, local residents from Waterford Condos assisted in drying and warming the deer, taking measures to avert hypothermia.

Latest Headline News for Monday February 5, 2024 – In a dispute with the Biden administration over border crossings, Texas Governor Greg Abbott affirmed the state’s authority to secure its borders. During a press conference in Eagle Pass, Texas, alongside several GOP governors, Abbott urged President Biden to take decisive action on migrant crossings at the U.S.-Mexico border, which peaked in December. He accused President Biden of neglecting his duty to uphold U.S. laws, stating, “Mr. Biden has completely abdicated and abandoned his responsibility to enforce the laws of the United States.” — An Israeli far-right minister openly criticized President Joe Biden, expressing a preference for Donald Trump’s presidency to freely combat Hamas. The remarks caused a stir among Israeli leaders, especially during U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken’s visit to the region. Despite controversy, the Biden administration has bypassed Congress to expedite arms shipments to Israel and shielded it from international demands for a cease-fire since the October 7th Hamas attack. — Patrick Mahomes Senior, father of Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes, was arrested in Tyler, Texas, on charges of driving while intoxicated, just days before the Super Bowl. Mahomes Senior, 53, faced his third DWI charge, according to Smith County records, and received a $10,000 bond. His release status was unclear. He is known for his Major League Baseball career from 1992 to 2003. — Chile’s wildfire death toll has climbed above 65, prompting the government to implement curfews and establish shelters. President Gabriel Boric announced two days of national mourning starting Monday, stating, “It is Chile as a whole that suffers and mourns its dead.” The emergency escalated rapidly with a red alert in the Valparaíso region on Friday, followed by fires in the Lago Peñuelas National Reserve. — In Omaha, Nebraska, two off-duty police officers fatally shot two men in an SUV under circumstances that remain unclear. The incident occurred around 2 a.m. Saturday while the officers were working at a local business. The victims, Fernando Rodriguez-Juarez, 26, and Jonathan Hernandez-Rosales, 28, were critically injured and later died in a hospital. The officers are on paid leave pending an investigation. — Indianapolis police are probing the homicides of two women, found killed in a similar manner near each other within days. Interim Police Chief Christopher Bailey acknowledged similarities between the two cases, saying, “We’re here out of an abundance of caution to share information with the community.” Bailey appealed for public assistance at a press briefing to advance the investigations. — Namibia’s president and founding prime minister, Hage Geingob, passed away at 82 while undergoing cancer treatment. His deputy was swiftly sworn in to complete the term. Geingob, a pivotal figure in one of Africa’s most stable democracies, returned from exile in Botswana and the U.S. as an anti-apartheid activist. He led Namibia since its 1990 independence after a long period of German and apartheid South African rule. — A collection of sneakers worn by Michael Jordan during his six NBA championship wins with the Chicago Bulls sold for $8 million at auction, a record for game-worn sneakers, according to Sotheby’s. Brahm Wachter of Sotheby’s remarked, “Serving as both a reminder of Michael Jordan’s lasting impact on the world and a tangible expression of his recognized legendary status, its significance is further validated by this monumental result.” Wachter is responsible for modern collectibles at Sotheby’s. — A collective of 30 current and past employees at a middle school in Kentucky recently won a $1 million Powerball jackpot, using a set of numbers they’ve consistently played for years. The winning ticket, cleverly concealed in a math textbook, led to their big win. This group from Rector A. Jones Middle School in Florence had been participating in the lottery together for a long time, sticking to the same numbers since 2019. The organizer of the group realized that their ticket for the January 27 Powerball draw had secured the $1 million second prize and decided to hide it in a math textbook for safekeeping. She joked, “No one looks in a math book. I knew it would be safe there … on page 200. I have checked this a thousand times.” The group members, who selected their numbers randomly, each received $24,000 after tax deductions. Their plans for the prize money vary, ranging from investments to home improvements and travel.

Latest News Headlines for Saturday February 3, 2024 – U.S.-led airstrikes against Iran-backed militias in Syria and Iraq on Friday resulted in the deaths of at least 39 people and injuries to many others, according to Iraqi officials and independent observers. In Iraq, 16 individuals, including an unspecified number of civilians, were killed and 25 others injured, stated Iraqi government spokesperson Basem Al-Awadi. The U.S. launched these airstrikes as a response to a drone attack in Jordan that killed three American soldiers and wounded over 40 U.S. troops. — Turkish authorities have apprehended a gunman who held seven hostages at a Procter & Gamble factory as a protest against Israel’s military actions in Gaza. The siege, which began on Thursday in the Gebze district of Kocaeli province, ended early Friday following unsuccessful negotiations. Governor Seddar Yavuz’s office confirmed that security forces intervened and subdued the suspect after dispatching authorities and medical teams to the site. — In Paris, three people were injured in an attack by a man wielding a knife and hammer at the bustling Gare de Lyon train station, heightening security concerns ahead of the Summer Olympics. The 31-year-old attacker, carrying Italian residency papers and medicines indicating ongoing treatment, was apprehended by police following the incident at 7:35 a.m. in the station’s large hall. Gare de Lyon is a major hub for high-speed and commuter trains, frequented by millions of passengers. — The House Judiciary Committee has issued a subpoena to Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis over allegations of fund misuse by her office. Committee Chair Jim Jordan highlighted whistleblower claims in a letter to Willis, alleging inappropriate use of a $488,000 federal grant intended for a ‘Center of Youth Empowerment and Gang Prevention’ for extraneous expenses. — A 5.1 magnitude earthquake struck Oklahoma late Friday night, tying it as the fourth largest in state history, according to the U.S. Geological Survey. The earthquake’s epicenter was near Prague in Lincoln County, about 50 miles east of Oklahoma City. While no damage or injuries were immediately reported, officials are assessing the situation. — Wisconsin authorities reported that a police officer fatally shot an armed driver who confronted officers after fleeing a traffic stop. The incident occurred in North Fond du Lac, Winnebago County, when the motorist evaded a traffic stop on Friday night. The driver’s vehicle was stopped using a tire deflation device during a police pursuit, leading to the fatal confrontation. — A 26-year-old Florida Highway Patrol trooper, Zachary Fink, was killed while pursuing a suspect on the interstate, according to officials. In St. Lucie County, Fink attempted to stop a felon driving recklessly. The suspect led Fink on a chase, during which Fink collided with an 18-wheeler semi-truck as he tried to apprehend the suspect and warn other drivers. Both Fink and the truck driver succumbed to their injuries. — Target has decided to discontinue sales of a Civil Rights-themed product following a TikTok video that exposed significant errors in it. Espy, in an interview with The Associated Press, revealed she bought the “Civil Rights Magnetic Learning Activity” for her children but discovered blatant mistakes upon opening it. After her TikTok video went viral, Target confirmed it would halt sales of the item. — A stray emu discovered roaming in Washington has been relocated to a sanctuary, as its owner did not step forward to reclaim the sizable Australian bird. Elliot, as the emu was nicknamed, was caught last week with assistance from the Washington State Patrol, Kitsap County Sheriff’s Office, and Washington State Department of Transportation, according to the Kitsap Humane Society. Initially, the emu was housed in a barn while efforts were made to locate its owner. After remaining unclaimed for over 72 hours, the humane society arranged for the bird’s permanent residence at the Center Valley Animal Rescue.

Latest News Headlines for Thursday February 1, 2024 – On Wednesday, the Federal Reserve chose to maintain its current interest rate levels, postponing the much-anticipated rate reductions expected to occur later this year. The federal funds rate will continue to range between 5.25% and 5.5%. The Fed stated, “The Committee seeks to achieve maximum employment and inflation at the rate of 2 percent over the longer run. The Committee judges that the risks to achieving its employment and inflation goals are moving into better balance.” — The Justice Department revealed on Wednesday that it has thwarted an attack by Chinese government-backed hackers targeting U.S. critical infrastructure. The hackers used malware to compromise “hundreds” of home and small business routers. In a court-sanctioned operation initiated last month, U.S. officials successfully dismantled the botnet by removing malware from routers within the U.S. and implemented measures to prevent future reinfections. — The U.S. government has identified the Islamic Resistance in Iraq militant group as responsible for the drone attack in Jordan that resulted in the deaths of three American service members. National Security Council spokesperson John Kirby stated, “The attack in Jordan was planned, resourced, and facilitated by an Umbrella group called the Islamic Resistance in Iraq.” Kirby explained that this group includes several factions, including Kataib Hezbollah. — Alec Baldwin has entered a not guilty plea for the second time to charges of involuntary manslaughter in the 2021 fatal shooting of cinematographer Halyna Hutchins on the “Rust” film set. The 65-year-old actor and executive producer waived his right to an arraignment, initially scheduled for Thursday, and submitted his plea through a court filing. Baldwin, under the terms of the filing, is prohibited from possessing firearms among other conditions. — In New Mexico, three police officers involved in the fatal shooting of Robert Dotson, who was mistakenly targeted at the wrong address, will not face charges, as communicated by the New Mexico Justice Department. The incident occurred on April 5, 2023, when Farmington police officers Daniel Estrada, Dylan Goodluck, and Waylon Wasson, responding to a domestic violence call, erroneously went to Dotson’s residence, mistaking house number 5305 for 5308. — A federal judge in Florida has dismissed Disney’s lawsuit against Governor Ron DeSantis and other state officials. The lawsuit contested the state legislature’s decision to modify the Reedy Creek Improvement District’s governance structure. Disney’s lawsuit, filed last April, claimed the changes were retaliatory, responding to the company’s criticism of the Parental Rights in Education Act, often referred to by opponents as the “Don’t Say Gay” bill. — Five asylum-seekers were arrested in Midtown Manhattan, accused of assaulting police officers, according to the NYPD. Police stated that during an attempt to disperse a disorderly group on West 42nd St., a physical altercation ensued. As officers tried to detain one individual, the suspects began kicking and punching them. The officers suffered minor injuries and received treatment at the scene. — The Justice Department announced on Wednesday a $59 million settlement with eBay. The settlement resolves claims that the e-commerce giant facilitated the sale of thousands of pill presses on its platform, potentially aiding in the illegal production of drugs. Under the agreement, eBay will pay one of the largest penalties imposed under the Controlled Substances Act and will implement changes to prevent future sales of pill presses and related items. — A 285-year-old lemon discovered in an old cabinet drawer was sold at an auction in England for $1,780. Brettells Auctioneers in Shropshire reported that a family brought in a 19th-century cabinet, previously owned by a late uncle, to their facility. While preparing the cabinet for sale, a specialist found the lemon tucked away in a drawer. Inscribed on the fruit was the note: “Given By Mr P Lu Franchini Nov 4 1739 to Miss E Baxter.” Deciding to auction the historic lemon, the auction house was astounded when it garnered a winning bid of $1,780. In contrast, the cabinet itself was sold for a mere $40.