Keith Middlebrook, a part-time actor with minor roles in films such as “Iron Man 2,” received an eight-year prison sentence for wire fraud related to a fraudulent COVID-19 cure scheme. His conviction stemmed from soliciting investors based on false claims, including a purported relationship with Magic Johnson, who vehemently denied any involvement. The judge cited Middlebrook’s continued denial of guilt and perjury as factors in the sentencing, rejecting defense appeals. Middlebrook’s attorney plans to appeal, alleging that Johnson perjured himself.
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Erin Elizabeth Ann Strotman, a former Henrico Doctors’ Hospital employee, was arrested and charged with malicious wounding and felony child abuse. The charges stem from three infants in the hospital’s NICU sustaining unexplained fractures in late 2024, echoing a similar incident involving four babies in 2023. Following the discovery, the hospital launched an internal investigation, notified authorities, and implemented enhanced security measures including live-streaming and mandatory safety training. Police are currently re-examining both incidents as part of their ongoing investigation.
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Louisiana’s first human case of H5N1 avian influenza resulted in the death of a patient over 65 with underlying health conditions following exposure to backyard and wild birds. No further H5N1 cases or person-to-person transmission have been identified. While the overall public health risk remains low, individuals handling birds, poultry, or livestock face a higher risk of infection. The public is urged to avoid contact with sick or dead birds and report any such findings to the appropriate authorities.
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Federal Judge Lewis Liman held Rudy Giuliani in contempt of court for failing to comply with orders to provide information to Ruby Freeman and Shaye Moss, two Georgia election workers he defamed. Giuliani’s noncompliance, deemed willful by the judge, involved delaying the transfer of assets, including a Mercedes and numerous valuables, despite prior court orders. These sanctions come amidst ongoing efforts by Freeman and Moss to collect a $150 million judgement against Giuliani. The judge’s ruling limits Giuliani’s defense arguments, potentially impacting his upcoming trial to retain ownership of his Florida condo.
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Dozens of employees in the Washington Post’s business division are expected to be laid off this week. This follows recent turmoil, including the October cancellation of a Kamala Harris endorsement, resulting in significant subscription cancellations and staff resignations. Further departures include Josh Dawsey to the Wall Street Journal and the recent resignation of Pulitzer Prize-winning editorial cartoonist Ann Telnaes. These layoffs add to previous job cuts in 2024 and 2023.
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Pope Francis appointed Sister Simona Brambilla as the first woman prefect of the Dicastery for Institutes of Consecrated Life and Societies of Apostolic Life, a major Vatican office overseeing all Catholic religious orders. This historic appointment, enabled by Francis’s 2022 reforms, reflects his ongoing efforts to elevate women’s roles within the Church’s governance. Cardinal Ángel Fernández Artime was named co-leader, a necessary theological provision given the sacramental requirements of the prefect’s role. Brambilla’s ascension marks a significant step, though priestly ordination for women remains unchanged.
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Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau resigned Monday, citing internal party struggles that hinder his ability to effectively lead the Liberals into the upcoming federal election. His decision follows growing internal pressure, including the December resignation of Deputy Prime Minister Chrystia Freeland, and a consistent decline in poll numbers. Trudeau will remain in office until a new party leader is chosen, and Parliament will be prorogued until March 24. This move comes amidst significant challenges, including high inflation, escalating housing costs, and the loss of key political allies.
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Mike Rinder, former Scientology executive and prominent whistleblower, passed away at age 69. His wife, Christie King Collbran, announced his death, sharing a message from Rinder expressing regret for not fully achieving his goal of ending Scientology abuses but urging continued efforts. Rinder, a vocal critic of Scientology after leaving in 2007, participated in several documentaries and podcasts exposing alleged abuses within the organization. He is survived by his wife and four children.
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Apple’s new Enhanced Visual Search feature, enabled by default in iOS 18.1 and macOS 15.1, analyzes photos for landmarks using on-device machine learning and homomorphic encryption before sending encrypted data to Apple servers for identification. This process, while claimed to protect user privacy through encryption and differential privacy, sparked controversy due to its lack of explicit user consent and potential for metadata upload before opt-out is possible. Critics argue this approach, despite theoretical privacy protections, is problematic due to its unilateral deployment and lack of transparency from Apple. Concerns remain regarding the potential for data leakage, despite Apple’s assertions to the contrary.
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Three Chinese nationals were arrested in South Kivu province, DR Congo, with 12 gold bars and $800,000 in cash concealed in their vehicle. The arrests, conducted secretly following the controversial release of other Chinese nationals accused of illegal mining, highlight the ongoing struggle to regulate the country’s mineral sector. This operation, prompted by a tip-off, underscores the challenges posed by illicit mineral trade and its links to armed groups and instability in the region. The significant amount of gold and cash seized underscores the scale of illegal activity within the country’s mineral sector.
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John Q. Hosedrinker