Following criticism from the Trump administration, California officials announced the revocation of 17,000 commercial driver’s licenses issued to immigrants. The licenses were found to have expiration dates that extended beyond the drivers’ legal authorization to be in the U.S. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy stated California’s action is an admission of improper conduct, after earlier defending its standards. This situation stems from concerns raised after fatal truck crashes in multiple states and has led to tightened restrictions on immigrant eligibility for commercial driver’s licenses.
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A Danish man has been convicted of copyright infringement for sharing nude scenes from copyrighted films and TV series on Reddit. The man, who moderated a Reddit group, shared 347 clips that were viewed 4.2 million times. He received a seven-month suspended sentence for his actions. Danish authorities prosecuted the man under a rarely-used clause in copyright law, with the judge determining he had damaged the artists’ “moral rights” by removing the scenes from their original context.
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Amidst the focus on reopening the government, a little-noticed piece of legislation threatens to cripple the burgeoning $26 billion hemp industry. The regulation, with a limit of 0.4 milligrams of THC per container, effectively bans THC-infused drinks and edibles, impacting over 95% of hemp products. Industry leaders like John Peterson and Ken Meyer express concern over the potentially devastating consequences, including complications for the grain, fiber, and non-cannabinoid sectors, urging for more thoughtful regulation instead of an outright ban. The House of Representatives recently voted to pass the regulation.
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A 13-year-old student in Lafourche Parish, Louisiana, was expelled after hitting a classmate who allegedly created and shared a deepfake pornographic image of her. The family’s lawyers plan to file a federal lawsuit against the school district, citing the school’s failure to address the bullying and the disproportionate punishment. While the school board allowed the student to return on probation, the expulsion remains on her record. Law enforcement is also investigating, with one student charged with multiple counts related to the AI-generated images, but the victim will not be charged.
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A 65-year-old man died last week after falling from Guano Point at Grand Canyon West in Arizona, with authorities recovering his body approximately 130 feet down. The Mohave County Sheriff’s Office Search and Rescue, along with other agencies, assisted in the technical recovery. Guano Point, known for its expansive views and lack of railings, is located on the Hualapai Reservation. This incident follows other fatalities in the Grand Canyon, including a death in July due to extreme heat and one in May while hiking a Rim-to-Rim trail.
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On Tuesday evening, a 36-year-old man, who was of no fixed address, boarded a Hamilton city bus at the MacNab Bus Terminal and drove it away with passengers on board. The man, driving an articulated bus, made stops along the route, allowing passengers to get on and off, with approximately 10 passengers present at any given time. Passengers initially didn’t realize the man wasn’t the driver, even giving him directions and he denied access to someone with an expired bus pass. Police followed the bus, utilizing its GPS, and apprehended the man without incident on West 5th Street, charging him with multiple offenses, and withholding his name due to a potential mental health component.
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A group of 17 transgender Air Force members is suing the U.S. government over the revocation of their early retirement pensions and benefits, a move the plaintiffs say is unlawful. The lawsuit follows the Air Force’s decision to deny early retirement to transgender service members with 15-18 years of service, separating them without benefits. This action, potentially costing affected service members up to $2 million in lifetime earnings and health insurance, is part of a larger trend of policies targeting transgender troops. The Pentagon has not commented, but officials have noted 4,240 troops have been diagnosed with gender dysphoria, an identifier of being transgender.
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AP News reports that a diamond brooch lost by Napoleon during the Battle of Waterloo sold for over 3.5 million Swiss francs at a Geneva auction. The brooch, featuring a 13-carat oval diamond, significantly exceeded its pre-sale estimate. This sale price was boosted by a “private collector,” as well as the recent theft of Napoleonic jewels at the Louvre museum in Paris. A green beryl also worn by Napoleon sold for nearly 1 million Swiss francs.
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On Tuesday night, Jimmy Kimmel paid tribute to his longtime friend and “Jimmy Kimmel Live!” bandleader, Cleto Escobedo III, who recently passed away. The two were inseparable since childhood, sharing a bond that extended to their professional lives, where Escobedo led the show’s band for over two decades. Kimmel shared fond memories of their shared experiences, highlighting their unique connection and the impact Escobedo had on his life. Escobedo was remembered as a phenomenal musician who toured with Paula Abdul and a great friend to many. Kimmel announced the show would take a break due to Escobedo’s passing.
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Apple has removed two popular gay dating apps, Blued and Finka, from its China app store due to an order from Chinese authorities, a company spokesperson confirmed. This action has sparked concerns within the LGBT community, despite a “lite” version of Blued remaining available. Apple operates a separate app store in China to comply with the country’s strict internet regulations. The BBC has reached out to the Chinese embassy and the apps’ developers for further comment.
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John Q. Hosedrinker