Over the weekend, hackers manipulated crosswalk buttons in Palo Alto, Menlo Park, and Redwood City, replacing the standard audio cues with AI-generated voices mimicking Elon Musk and Mark Zuckerberg. The altered messages ranged from Musk’s pleas for friendship to Zuckerberg’s boastful commentary on Meta’s actions. At least twelve intersections in Palo Alto were affected, prompting authorities to disable the voice function for repairs. Investigations are ongoing to identify those responsible for the prank.
Read More
The CIA reviewed former Director John Ratcliffe’s Signal account on March 31st, following reports of a journalist’s unauthorized access to a sensitive group chat. The review, documented in a court filing related to a lawsuit against White House officials, revealed that the chat contained only administrative information and not the substantive messages discussing U.S. military plans in Yemen. These messages, allegedly shared on March 24th, prompted bipartisan criticism and legal action alleging violations of federal record-keeping laws. The absence of sensitive information on the reviewed account remains a key point of contention.
Read More
This page uses Google AMP technology, requiring separate consent management for data collection. Strictly necessary data is stored locally to ensure website functionality. Optional consent allows for personalized advertising outside the UK; rejecting this will result in non-personalized ads. Preferences can be adjusted at any time via the footer’s “Ad Choices / Do not sell my info” link.
Read More
Briefings following a recent meeting between US and Irish officials reveal a US strategy to decouple from China, forcing the EU to choose sides in trade. This entails the EU potentially limiting trade barriers, including certain food standards, to secure a US trade deal. However, the EU shows resistance to altering its standards, while the US may still impose tariffs on pharmaceutical imports despite a temporary tariff reduction. Negotiations are ongoing, but the US’s demands present a significant challenge for the EU.
Read More
The New York Federal Reserve’s monthly Survey of Consumer Expectations revealed rising consumer anxieties regarding inflation, unemployment, and the stock market in March. One-year inflation expectations jumped to 3.6%, while the probability of higher unemployment surged to 44%, its highest since April 2020. Stock market optimism decreased significantly, falling to its lowest point since June 2022, although expectations for gold price increases rose. These findings align with other consumer sentiment surveys, indicating widespread concern about the economic impact of escalating trade tensions.
Read More
HuffPost remains committed to delivering unbiased, free news in a climate of increasing political influence and paywalled content. Unlike many news outlets, HuffPost refuses to compromise its journalistic integrity. Support from readers is crucial to maintaining this commitment and ensuring continued access to ad-free content for qualifying contributors. Contributions directly enable HuffPost’s mission to provide fair and fearless reporting during this pivotal time.
Read More
The Japan Fair Trade Commission issued a cease-and-desist order to Google for violating Japanese anti-monopoly law. This unprecedented action targets Google’s practice of requiring pre-installation of its apps on Android phones, hindering competition from rival search engines. This marks the first such order against a GAFAM company in Japan. The commission cited Google’s actions as creating significant barriers to entry for competitors in the Android mobile market.
Read More
Following a Luxembourg meeting, Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha invited EU counterparts to demonstrate unity against Russia’s aggression. President Zelenskyy separately plans a May 9th meeting with Coalition of the Willing leaders to discuss post-ceasefire security guarantees for Ukraine. While the location remains unconfirmed, EU diplomats suggest a potential early May visit by several heads of state, potentially including Friedrich Merz, to Ukraine. This contrasts sharply with Russia’s selective invitations to a Moscow Victory Day celebration, excluding major Western powers.
Read More
Despite President Trump’s new tariffs and threats of further increases, particularly on electronics and pharmaceuticals, global stock markets rose, indicating a possible retreat from the most severe measures. China downplayed the impact on its exports, citing diversification efforts and a strong domestic market as mitigating factors. While the US administration initially offered exemptions for some electronics, these were later retracted, leaving companies uncertain about future trade policy. The trade war continues, impacting consumers through price increases as seen with Sony’s PlayStation 5, and prompting international condemnation of protectionist trade practices.
Read More
The Trump administration, ordered by the Supreme Court to facilitate the return of Kilmar Abrego Garcia from El Salvador’s CECOT prison, instead feigned compliance. The administration, along with Salvadoran President Bukele, engaged in a disingenuous exchange, shifting responsibility for Garcia’s repatriation. This action, stemming from the mass deportation of individuals with negligible evidence of criminal activity, demonstrates blatant disregard for the Supreme Court’s ruling. The administration’s assertion that this is a matter of foreign policy, not subject to judicial review, represents a dangerous expansion of executive power, potentially jeopardizing the rights of American citizens. This defiance of a Supreme Court order underscores a growing trend of presidential lawlessness, leaving the Court to determine whether to uphold the Constitution or condone such actions.
Read More
John Q. Hosedrinker