The Department of Justice has launched an investigation into former New York Governor Andrew Cuomo’s testimony to Congress regarding COVID-19 nursing home deaths. This follows a House panel referral alleging Cuomo lied under oath about his involvement in a state report on the issue. The investigation comes after the DOJ dropped charges against mayoral rival Eric Adams, prompting accusations of political bias. Cuomo’s spokesperson denies any wrongdoing and claims the investigation is politically motivated.
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A Guardian investigation reveals that UnitedHealth Group secretly paid nursing homes bonuses to reduce hospital transfers, saving the company millions but potentially jeopardizing resident health. This cost-cutting strategy, involving UnitedHealth medical teams in nearly 2,000 nursing homes, resulted in delayed or avoided hospitalizations in several documented cases, with at least one resident suffering permanent brain damage. The investigation, based on thousands of records and interviews, uncovered UnitedHealth’s focus on minimizing “admits per thousand,” incentivizing care denial. UnitedHealth denies preventing necessary transfers, asserting its program improves outcomes, but whistleblowers and internal documents contradict this claim.
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A suicide bombing targeting a school bus in Balochistan, Pakistan, killed at least four children and injured dozens more. The attack, occurring near Khuzdar while children were en route to a military-run school, prompted Pakistan to accuse India of involvement, a claim India denies. Pakistan’s government and military officials, citing the involvement of the Balochistan Liberation Army (BLA), condemned the attack and vowed to bring the perpetrators to justice. The incident follows a fragile ceasefire between Pakistan and India after a recent conflict stemming from the Pahalgam massacre.
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Late-night hosts criticized CNN for promoting Jake Tapper’s book about Joe Biden’s health, questioning the network’s ethical considerations given the timing and the seriousness of Biden’s recent cancer diagnosis. Jon Stewart highlighted the absurdity of CNN simultaneously promoting a book alleging a cover-up of Biden’s declining health, while the information was already widely known. Meanwhile, Stephen Colbert satirized Donald Trump’s weekend attacks on Walmart, Taylor Swift, and Bruce Springsteen, mocking Trump’s erratic behavior and unfounded criticisms. Colbert particularly emphasized the absurdity of Trump’s personal attacks on prominent figures, highlighting the disconnect between Trump’s statements and reality.
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A 30-year-old Georgia woman, Adriana Smith, was declared brain dead in February after suffering a medical emergency, yet remains on life support three months later due to the state’s strict abortion law. Doctors are prohibited from removing life support because doing so would likely end her pregnancy, which is past the point where fetal cardiac activity is detectable, despite concerns about the fetus’s health. This situation highlights the complex ethical and legal challenges posed by state-level abortion bans, particularly in cases involving pregnant individuals declared legally dead. The family faces immense emotional and financial strain while navigating the constraints imposed by Georgia’s restrictive legislation.
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A remarkably preserved juvenile hadrosaur fossil, including fossilized skin, was unearthed in Dinosaur Provincial Park, Alberta. The discovery, a collaborative effort between the University of Reading, the University of New England, and the Royal Tyrrell Museum, is significant due to the rarity of juvenile hadrosaur fossils and the exceptional preservation of soft tissue. Analysis of the fossilized skin will provide invaluable insights into the dinosaur’s appearance and biology. Following excavation and preparation, the fossil will be housed at the Royal Tyrrell Museum.
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Following the Trump administration’s termination of funding, the European Union approved a €5.5 million emergency contract to support Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty’s operations. This short-term funding acts as a safety net for the broadcaster, which provides crucial news to 23 countries across Eastern Europe, Central Asia, and the Middle East. While unable to fully replace lost U.S. funding, the EU aims to bolster the organization’s work in neighboring countries heavily reliant on external news sources. The EU hopes member states will contribute further to ensure Radio Free Europe’s long-term viability.
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President Trump’s recent actions regarding the Russo-Ukrainian conflict represent a significant shift in US foreign policy. He has abandoned previous threats of joining European sanctions against Russia, opting instead for a focus on economic cooperation with Moscow. This decision, following a conversation with Vladimir Putin, has effectively sidelined the US from the existing peace process and created a deep rift within NATO, a long-sought goal for Putin. Trump’s prioritization of economic opportunities with Russia, potentially including access to the energy and rare-earth metals sectors, suggests a fundamental realignment of US priorities away from supporting Ukraine and towards improving relations with Russia. This divergence leaves European allies to pursue sanctions independently.
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Agriculture Minister Taku Etō resigned following public outrage over his admission of never purchasing rice due to receiving numerous gifts. His insensitive remarks, made amidst soaring rice prices and a broader cost-of-living crisis, exacerbated pressure on Prime Minister Ishiba ahead of crucial upper house elections. The rice shortage stems from poor harvests and potential stockpiling, further fueling public discontent with the government’s response. Etō’s replacement, Shinjirō Koizumi, inherits the challenge of stabilizing rice prices and addressing widespread economic anxieties.
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A 33-year-old Orleans Parish Sheriff’s Office maintenance worker, Sterling Williams, has been arrested and charged with 10 counts of principle to simple escape and malfeasance in office for his alleged role in the escape of ten inmates from the Orleans Justice Center. Williams reportedly complied with an inmate’s request to turn off the water in a cell, facilitating their escape through a hole behind a toilet. The escape, believed to be an inside job, involved inmates cutting through steel bars and changing clothes before being discovered hours later. Four escapees have been recaptured, while six remain at large.
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John Q. Hosedrinker