USA

In November, a significant E. coli outbreak linked to romaine lettuce affected 15 states, resulting in dozens of illnesses, including a near-fatal case in a 9-year-old and one death. The FDA closed its investigation in February without public disclosure of the responsible companies, citing the absence of contaminated lettuce by the time the source was identified. Critics argue that withholding such information undermines consumer safety, while the FDA maintains that it acts according to evidence and the timing of outbreaks. Full Article

US Judge Rules Google Has Monopoly in Online AdvertisingA US judge has determined that Google holds a monopoly in online advertising technology, following a lawsuit from the US Department of Justice and 17 states. The ruling found that Google engaged in anticompetitive practices, harming publishers and consumers; however, Google plans to appeal, arguing their tools benefit publishers. This marks Google's second antitrust loss in a year, as the government pushes for structural changes or a potential breakup of the company amid ongoing legal scrutiny and similar findings from UK regulators. Full Article

Could Meloni be Europe's Trump card?Giorgia Meloni, Italy's right-wing prime minister, is well-positioned to engage with Donald Trump, having developed a strong rapport with him, who has praised her leadership. Meloni's ideologies align closely with Trump's, as evidenced by her critiques of mass migration and "globalist elites" in a recent video message. While she has mostly refrained from criticizing Trump’s administration, she did label his tariffs on the EU as "absolutely wrong," indicating some tensions in their otherwise favorable relationship. Full Article

A California law firm has notified Pocatello, Idaho, of its intention to file a federal wrongful death lawsuit for Victor Perez, a 17-year-old boy with intellectual disabilities who was shot multiple times by police while holding a kitchen knife in his fenced yard. The family claims the officers used excessive force, as Perez posed no threat, and they had been attempting to disarm him; the lawsuit will name the city, police chief, and the four officers involved. An investigation into the shooting is ongoing, with the Idaho Attorney General reviewing findings to determine potential charges against the officers. Full Article

Fyre Festival 2 Faces UncertaintyReports indicate that Fyre Festival 2, originally scheduled for May 30 to June 2 in Mexico, is facing delays as organizers seek a new location and have postponed the event. Despite the uncertainty, organizer Billy McFarland stated the festival is "still on" and is committed to delivering a safe experience, although local governments in Mexico have denied any planning records for the event. The original Fyre Festival, promoted as an exclusive getaway, ended in disaster, leading to McFarland's conviction for fraud and a six-year prison sentence. Full Article

SummaryMichael McMahon, a former NYPD sergeant, was sentenced to 18 months in prison for participating in a Chinese campaign to pressure a former official, Xu Jin, to return to China. Convicted of acting as an illegal foreign agent and stalking, McMahon claimed he was misled into believing he was conducting a routine investigation for a construction company. Despite support from lawmakers who viewed him as innocent, U.S. District Judge Pamela Chen emphasized the national security threat posed by McMahon's actions, which included surveillance and intimidation tactics against Xu. Full Article

A Frontier Airlines passenger, Melani Gonzalez Wharton, described a terrifying incident on Flight 5306 as it attempted to land in Puerto Rico, where one of the plane's front wheels broke off and caught fire during a hard landing at Luis Munoz Marin International Airport. Wharton expressed her fear for her family's safety on Facebook, noting the inexperience of the young co-pilot who was in command before the captain took over to ensure a safe landing. Fortunately, no injuries were reported following the incident involving the Airbus A321 carrying 228 passengers. Full Article

A Lyft driver in Washington state, Martin Njoki, 43, has been arrested for allegedly sexually assaulting a 16-year-old passenger during a ride on February 17. Njoki is charged with unlawful imprisonment and indecent liberties after reportedly forcing the girl to touch him and groping her when she attempted to leave the vehicle. Bellevue police have suspended his Lyft account and are seeking other potential victims, as Njoki remains in custody with a $150,000 bail, holding a work visa and having family in Kenya. Full Article

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 2024, amidst increasing gang violence that led to over 5,600 deaths in Haiti that year. Full Article

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 restoring power to 90% of customers within 48 to 72 hours. Full Article