As ‘smart cities’ tools grow nationwide, so do privacy and ethical concerns

Jacqui Wakefield, Christopher Giles and Joshua CheethamGlobal Disinformation Unit, BBC World ServiceThe assault rifles and pistols arrived in Haiti stashed in two cardboard boxes, nestled among packages of food and clothes, on a cargo ship stacked with rust-red shipping containers. An investigation by the BBC revealed how lax US laws and corruption enabled arms trafficking to Haiti, where gangs have escalated violence. Haitian police seized the shipment containing 12 rifles and 14 pistols in April...

A significant blackout impacted all 1.4 million customers in Puerto Rico on Wednesday, affecting essential services like the main airport and numerous hospitals, with at least 328,000 residents also without water. Governor Jenniffer González, who returned from vacation, expressed frustration over the situation and called for an investigation into the causes, emphasizing the need for reliable power. As the island prepares for the busy Easter weekend, many businesses are relying on generators, while officials anticipate...

Three people were killed in a boat collision on Smith Lake, Alabama, during a Major League Fishing tournament on Wednesday morning. The accident involved a Nitro bass boat and a Center Console vessel, with the deceased being Joey Broom, John Clark, and Jeffrey Little, who drowned after being thrown overboard. Major League Fishing has expressed condolences and canceled the final day of the competition following this tragic incident, which is under investigation by authorities. Full...

SummaryThe Trump administration has targeted AmeriCorps’ National Civilian Community Corps (NCCC), a 30-year-old program that engages young adults in various community projects across the U.S., leading to early dismissals of its volunteers due to budget cuts. The NCCC, which employs over 2,000 individuals aged 18 to 26, has been impacted by the administration's priorities, with funding under scrutiny, prompting the dismissal of members by April 30. Concerns have been raised about the future of these...

Newly released security footage reveals Svetlana Dali allegedly sneaking onto a Delta flight from JFK to Paris without a ticket on November 26, 2022. Dali, seen blending in with other passengers, bypassed TSA checks and later acknowledged her actions were illegal. After being spotted onboard, she was detained in France and sent back to the U.S., where she faces stowaway charges, while authorities have since implemented additional security measures to prevent similar incidents. Full Article

The wife of Kilmar Abrego Garcia, a Maryland man mistakenly deported to El Salvador by the Trump administration, previously filed a protective order against him in 2021 due to domestic violence allegations, which was later dismissed. Despite the protective order, Jennifer Vasquez stated their marriage improved, and she condemned ICE's actions in deporting her husband, who was granted "withholding of removal" status due to potential gang violence in El Salvador. The Supreme Court has mandated...