dailycast

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.

Latest News Headlines for Wednesday January 31, 2024 – In an early morning operation in the West Bank, three Palestinian men were fatally shot at Ibn Sina Hospital in Jenin by Israeli special forces disguised as Muslims and medical staff, as reported by Palestinian officials. The Palestinian Health Ministry described the incident as “assassinations,” stating the individuals were asleep when the undercover Israeli Defense Forces entered the hospital. Surveillance footage circulating online showed about a dozen armed personnel, including three in women’s attire and two posing as healthcare workers, navigating the hospital’s hallways. — Following a drone strike at a Jordanian base that resulted in the deaths of three American soldiers, the U.S. is bolstering the base’s air defenses, a U.S. official has confirmed. The targeted base in northeast Jordan, previously not subjected to attacks, had weaker air defenses compared to U.S. bases in Iraq and Syria, which have faced continual threats since October. The new air defense system being deployed is specifically designed to counter drone attacks. — A tragic incident off the coast of Cancun, Mexico, led to the deaths of four individuals, including a child, after a tourist boat sank. The 26-foot boat “La Diosa del Mar” (“Goddess of the Sea”) was carrying 16 tourists and three crew members from Isla Mujeres to Puerto Juárez along the Yucatan Peninsula when it encountered rough seas and began sinking. Following reports that the boat was over its legal capacity, the captain was arrested. — A Delaware judge has ruled against Tesla CEO Elon Musk retaining a compensation package exceeding $55 billion, stating Musk and Tesla failed to justify the fairness of the payout. This decision comes in the wake of a shareholder lawsuit filed five years ago, accusing Musk and Tesla’s board of breaching fiduciary duties, misusing corporate assets, and unjustly enriching Musk. Tesla’s stock fell 4% in after-hours trading following the ruling. — The New York City Council overruled Mayor Eric Adams’ vetoes concerning a solitary confinement ban and a bill for documenting police stops, voting 42 to 9. City Council Speaker Adrienne Adams emphasized the need for transparency and accountability in policing, noting the disproportionate impact of unconstitutional stops on Black and Latino New Yorkers. “Public safety is a collective effort,” she stated in support of the bills. — Ohio legislators have proposed a bill permitting execution by nitrogen gas, a method facing criticism as unproven and potentially inhumane compared to lethal injection, following Alabama’s precedent-setting nitrogen gas execution. State Representatives Phil Plummer and Brian Stewart, both Republicans, introduced the bill, advocating for nitrogen hypoxia as an execution method. “Nitrogen hypoxia is an alternative method for carrying out capital punishment that has been made available in other states,” Stewart said during a press conference on Tuesday. — Oregon’s top officials have declared a state of emergency in downtown Portland due to a public health and safety crisis exacerbated by fentanyl. Governor Tina Kotek, Mayor Ted Wheeler, and Multnomah County Chair Jessica Vega Pederson announced the 90-day emergency, focusing on collaboration and response from a command center. The initiative aims to connect individuals with resources like drug treatment and intensify efforts to combat drug trafficking. — Missouri Representative Cori Bush is under investigation by the Department of Justice over allegations of misusing federal funds, with the probe reportedly linked to her campaign’s security expenditures. Responding to the initial news of the investigation, Bush firmly denied any wrongdoing. “I hold myself, my campaign, and my position to the highest levels of integrity,” she stated. She also mentioned that the Federal Election Commission and the House Committee on Ethics are currently reviewing the matter. — A woman from Everett, Washington, remarkably won five top prizes in a single lottery drawing, totaling $50,000, by purchasing four identical lottery tickets. Known only as K.L., she explained to Washington’s Lottery officials that the inspiration for her ticket numbers came from a blend of her and her mother’s birthdays, reflecting on her mother while making the purchase. The draw coincidentally fell on the anniversary of K.L.’s mother’s wedding, leading to a stroke of luck with each ticket securing a $10,000 top prize. Upon sharing the news with her husband, K.L. described his reaction as utterly speechless. K.L. plans to allocate a portion of her winnings to support local charities and animal welfare organizations.

Latest News Headlines for Tuesday January 30, 2024 – The Defense Department has released the names of three U.S. service members who tragically lost their lives in a drone attack on a military base in northeast Jordan. In an official statement, the Pentagon identified the deceased as Sergeant William Jerome Rivers, 46, from Carrollton, Georgia; Specialist Kennedy Ladon Sanders, 24, from Waycross, Georgia; and Specialist Breonna Alexsondria Moffett, 23, from Savannah, Georgia. They passed away on January 28, 2024, in Jordan, following an attack by “a one-way unmanned aerial system (OWUAS)” on their living quarters. — The Supreme Court has scheduled oral arguments for a significant case involving access to a medication commonly used in abortion procedures. The hearings, set for March 26, will focus on access to the abortion pill mifepristone. This follows an August 2023 appellate court decision that allowed the drug to remain legal in the U.S. but restricted patient access. A decision by the Supreme Court is anticipated later in the year. — Two brothers from New York City are facing charges for allegedly stockpiling explosives and untraceable firearms, along with possessing anarchist materials and a hit list. Andrew and Angelo Hatziagelis have been indicted on 130 counts, including weapon possession and sales, according to a statement by Queens District Attorney Melinda Katz. The brothers are currently in custody. — Following the United Auto Workers union’s endorsement of President Joe Biden, former President Donald Trump criticized the union’s president, sparking a sharp response from the Biden campaign as both sides seek union voter support. The endorsement by the UAW, crucial in battleground Michigan, intensifies the rivalry between Biden and Trump, with both 2024 campaign teams seemingly eager for a November showdown. — San Bernardino County officials in California have announced the arrest of five individuals in connection with the shooting deaths of six people in a desert community last week. During a Monday night press conference, officials stated that multiple search warrants were executed on Sunday, leading to the arrests of suspects aged in their 20s and 30s. All are being held without bail, and eight firearms were seized during the arrests. — Kentucky authorities reported the safe recovery of a missing 5-year-old girl, and the arrest of her father, who was wanted for the murder of the girl’s mother. An Amber Alert was issued Monday morning for Lela Black from Princeton, Kentucky, believed to be with her biological father, 42-year-old Byron Black. An arrest warrant for the murder of Lela’s mother had been issued for Byron Black. — The Justice Department has charged an Iranian and two Canadian nationals in an alleged assassination plot targeting Iranian dissidents residing in the U.S. Prosecutors allege that Naji Zindashti, along with two Canadians, conspired between December 2020 and March 2021 to kill two Maryland residents. The targets, former Iranian residents who fled to the U.S., were critics of the Iranian regime. — A woman in Sydney suffered severe leg injuries following a suspected bull shark attack while swimming in Sydney Harbor. The woman, in her late 20s, was bitten on her right leg at Elizabeth Bay on Monday evening. A witness recounted how a bystander provided immediate aid by applying tourniquets to control the bleeding until paramedics arrived at the scene. — The South Carolina Education Lottery announced an unprecedented number of top prize winners, totaling 3,351, following a Pick 4 drawing that produced the combination 4444. According to lottery officials, these winning tickets were bought for Friday night’s draw, resulting in a total payout of over $8.3 million in prizes. Depending on the ticket’s purchase price, Pick 4 winners receive either $2,500 or $5,000. This drawing marked the first instance in which a Pick 4 draw yielded a sequence of four 4s.

Latest News Headline for Monday January 29, 2024 – The Gaza Health Ministry is calling for the urgent evacuation of over 7,000 injured Palestinians from Gaza for medical treatment, as the conflict with Israel continues amid accusations of genocide. In a pressing statement, the ministry emphasized, “We urgently need 7,000 injured and sick people to leave for treatment abroad to save their lives.” Additionally, Palestinian authorities are advocating for secure transport of those requiring neurosurgery to the Jordanian Field Hospital nearby. — Following a missile strike by Houthi rebels, a British oil tanker in the Gulf of Aden reported that all crew members are safe and onboard fires have been successfully extinguished. Trafigura, the company operating the Marlin Luanda, stated, “We are pleased to confirm that all crew on board the Marlin Luanda are safe and the fire in the cargo tank has been fully extinguished. The vessel sailed towards a safe harbor. The crew continues to monitor the vessel and cargo closely.” — Iranian authorities have announced the successful launch of three satellites using a previously malfunctioning rocket, a move Western officials say enhances Tehran’s ballistic missile capabilities. While Iran insists the launch is part of its peaceful civilian space program, U.S. officials, citing a 2023 worldwide threat assessment, have expressed concern that such launches and satellite development “shortens the timeline” for Iran to develop an intercontinental ballistic missile due to the similar technology used. — In a tragic incident in Los Angeles, an elderly man shot and killed his wife and two adult children before taking his own life in their home. The Los Angeles Police Department reported a shooting around 7 p.m. in the Granada Hills area. Officers arrived at the scene, where a witness led them to four deceased individuals in a situation described by police as a murder-suicide. — In Pacific, Missouri, a car crashed into a nail salon, resulting in the death of a woman and injuries to three others. The Missouri State Highway Patrol reported that the incident occurred Saturday afternoon, about 30 miles southwest of St. Louis. Jill Goddard, 61, who was in the salon, was killed, and the 57-year-old driver and two salon patrons were hospitalized with minor injuries. — Two individuals have been arrested in connection with the discovery of an abandoned newborn girl found behind dumpsters in Mississippi last week. The Marshall County Sheriff’s Office reported the arrests last Friday on social media but did not provide further details. The infant was discovered wrapped in blankets in a car seat behind dumpsters at the Grove of Cayce mobile home park, near the Tennessee border. — An Oklahoma Highway Patrol trooper, who was violently knocked to the ground during a traffic stop, expressed his gratitude for surviving the ordeal. The patrol shared dashcam footage on Facebook, showing the moment Trooper Jesse Gregory was struck by another vehicle while he was attending to a stopped car on Interstate 40 near Yukon on January 18th. — Two activists protesting for sustainable food systems attacked the “Mona Lisa” at the Louvre Museum in Paris by throwing soup at its protective glass. A social media video showed two women, wearing T-shirts with “FOOD RIPOSTE” inscribed, crossing a security barrier to approach Leonardo da Vinci’s famous painting and launching soup at its glass shield. — Police and sheriff’s officials say they rescued circus animals including zebras and camels on Saturday when a tractor-trailer hauling them caught fire while traveling on an Indiana highway. Traffic on northbound Interstate 69 near Marion, Ind., was blocked when the vehicle hauling the animals caught fire at 2 a.m., according to the Grant County, Ind., Sheriff’s Department. Officials said Indiana State Trooper Edward Titus and Grant County Deputy Joshua Kennedy entered the trailer and were able to rescue the animals. The pair along with a worker for the Shrine Circus in Fort Wayne, Ind., rescued five zebras, four camels and a miniature horse from the trailer. No animals were injured or missing, but Titus and Kennedy were treated for smoke inhalation. The preliminary crash investigation by State Police revealed that an equipment failure was the cause of the fire.

Latest News Headlines for Saturday January 27, 2024 – Ukrainian officials have refuted Russian claims that Ukrainian forces downed a military transport plane carrying Ukrainian POWs for an exchange, stating Russia has not provided convincing proof. The Ukrainian entity responsible for prisoner swaps reported that Russia belatedly shared a list of 65 Ukrainians alleged to have perished in the plane crash in Russia’s Belgorod region on Wednesday, but the evidence supporting the crash’s circumstances remains unsubstantiated. — Alabama Attorney General Steve Marshall described the execution of Kenneth Eugene Smith by nitrogen hypoxia as “textbook” in a recent news conference. Conducted on Thursday night, this execution was the first instance of using nitrogen hypoxia, a method designed to induce asphyxiation by inhaling pure nitrogen or high concentrations of it. The process was carried out with a gas mask. — International Holocaust Remembrance Day ceremonies took place worldwide on Saturday, amid ongoing anti-far-right protests in Germany and pro-Palestinian marches in Italy. The U.S. State Department, in a Saturday statement, honored the memory of six million Jews and others, including Roma, Sinti, political dissidents, individuals with disabilities, and LGBTQI+ persons, who were victims of the Holocaust. — A bill to modernize the regulation of the booming oil industry in New Mexico, the nation’s second-largest oil producer, has successfully passed its initial legislative committee review. The proposed legislation aims to update the state’s 1930s-era Oil and Gas Act, addressing the industry’s rapid expansion and increasing demands for environmental accountability, including air pollution, spills, and the cleanup of equipment and abandoned wells. — A significant multi-vehicle collision on the U.S.-50 Bay Bridge in Maryland Saturday morning resulted in multiple injuries. The crash occurred around 8 AM on the bridge’s westbound span, spanning the Chesapeake Bay. The Maryland Transportation Authority Police reported that several individuals were transported to hospitals, though the severity of their injuries has not been disclosed. — Mike Weber of Sunrise Farms faced a poultry farmer’s worst nightmare last month when his chickens tested positive for avian flu. In compliance with government regulations, Weber’s farm in Sonoma County, north of San Francisco, had to cull its entire flock of 550,000 egg-laying hens to prevent the disease’s spread. “It’s a trauma. We’re all going through grief as a result of it,” Weber remarked, standing in an empty hen house. — The family of Nicholas Overfield, a 39-year-old California man with HIV, has filed a lawsuit alleging he was denied essential medication while in jail, leading to his death. Arrested in February 2022, Overfield passed away in June at a hospital after, as claimed by his family, being deprived of his prescribed antiretroviral medication during his two-month detention at El Dorado County Jail. The lawsuit was filed last week. — Tennessee District Attorney Glenn Funk has dismissed charges against country singer Chris Young, following an incident involving Alcoholic Beverage Commission agents. Funk announced on Friday that the charges, which included assaulting an officer, disorderly conduct, and resisting arrest, were dropped after a thorough review of the evidence. Young’s arrest, which occurred last Monday night, was previously reported by various news outlets. — A passionate Taylor Swift fan from Pakistan set a new Guinness World Record by accurately recognizing 34 of Swift’s songs solely from their lyrics in just one minute. 20-year-old Bilal Ilyas Jhandir faced the challenge of identifying each song based on lyrics read to him without any background music. The songs chosen for the attempt were Swift’s 50 top-selling tracks, presented in a random sequence. Jhandir succeeded in naming 34 songs within a minute, surpassing the previous record of 27, held by Dan Simpson since 2019. Speaking to Guinness World Records, Jhandir expressed his lifelong admiration for Swift, saying, “I have been a fan of Taylor Swift since my childhood. I am a die-hard fan. I have listened to every one of her songs and can identify almost any of them just from the lyrics.”