More from Ben Burke
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Axon pauses plan to make Taser-equipped drones amid resignations
Less than a week after announcing a plan to equip drones with its flagship product, Taser maker Axon said it is “pausing work on this project.” The plan was announced in response to last month’s shooting at an elementary school in Uvalde, Texas. Axon founder and CEO Rick Smith told The Associated Press he was… -
Catholic church attack kills dozens in otherwise peaceful part of Nigeria
According to a local lawmaker, at least 50 people including children were killed in a weekend attack on a Catholic church in Nigeria. On Monday, church officials and witnesses said attackers opened fire on worshippers inside the church while other gunmen waited outside to kill those who tried to flee. “It’s quite unbelievable that somebody… -
Michael Avenatti sentenced to 4 years in prison over Stormy Daniels book
The legal battle between porn actress Stormy Daniels and her former lawyer Michael Avenatti ended with a four-year prison sentence for Avenatti. In issuing the sentence Thursday, Manhattan federal court judge Jesse M. Furman said the sentence will mean that Avenatti will spend another 2 1/2 years in prison on top of the 2 1/2… -
Biden responds to baby formula shortage after two-month delay
President Joe Biden raised eyebrows we he said “became aware” of “how intense” the ongoing baby formula shortage was “in early April.” This would put President Biden’s knowledge of the shortage roughly two months after baby formula producer Abbott halted production at the plant and recalled several brands of formula. The pause came amid an… -
Tulsa medical building shooting latest in string of mass shootings
A shooting at a medical building in Tulsa left five dead, including the gunman, according to this tweet from Tulsa police. Deputy Police Chief Eric Dalgleish said police believe the shooter’s death was self-inflicted. Two of the other four killed were doctors at the clinic. On Wednesday, Tulsa Police Capt. Richard Meulenberg also said multiple… -
Russian oil found in US as EU bans imports, OPEC+ considers suspension
Just two days after the European Union (EU) agreed to ban imports of Russian oil, The Wall Street Journal reported some fuels believed to be partially made from Russian crude are showing up in the United States. According to Wednesday’s report, the fuels ended up in New York and New Jersey last month. That would… -
Johnny Depp wins defamation case against Amber Heard, awarded $15M
The jury in the Johnny Depp/Amber Heard defamation trial found Depp proved his case that Heard defamed him in a 2018 op-ed. The video above includes the verdict being read out in court Wednesday. Depp was awarded $15 million in damages. Heard also received $2 million in damages for her countersuit against Depp. Both released… -
Texas DPS: Uvalde school police chief not cooperating with investigation
A spokesperson for the Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) said the department is running into an issue with its investigation into last week’s elementary school shooting: the Uvalde school police chief is not responding. DPS has said Uvalde Consolidated Independent School District (CISD) Police Chief Pete Arredondo was the commander of the school shooting… -
“Not fair”: Iran responds to nuclear watchdog report, goes after Israel
According to a report from the United Nations’ nuclear watchdog, Iran has amassed more than “the approximate amount of nuclear material for which the possibility of manufacturing a nuclear explosive device cannot be excluded”. In a separate International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) report seen by Reuters Monday, Iran has not adequately explained the origin of… -
Clinton campaign lawyer acquitted of lying to FBI about Trump-Russia information
A jury acquitted former Hillary Clinton campaign lawyer Michael Sussmann of lying to the FBI. The alleged lying happened as Sussman was pushing information meant to cast suspicions on former President Donald Trump in the run-up to the 2016 election. Tuesday morning’s verdict came after the jury began deliberations last Friday. “Despite being falsely accused,… -
In about face, Biden to meet with Powell on inflation, economic growth
President Joe Biden will meet with Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell to discuss, among other things, inflation and economic growth. The White House said these two topics would be part of a larger discussion over the state of the U.S. and global economies. Tuesday’s meeting appears to be an about face from President Biden. Last… -
Uvalde school shooting victims’ funerals begin
The funerals for the 19 students and two teachers killed in last week’s school shooting in Uvalde, Texas began Monday. 10-year-old Amerie Jo Garza was laid to rest at Hillcrest Memorial Funeral Home, the one right across the street from Robb Elementary School. Video from that funeral is included above. A visitation for another 10-year-old,… -
Johnny Depp/Amber Heard defamation trial heads to jury deliberations
The defamation trial between actors Johnny Depp and Amber Heard headed to its final stretch as the jury began deliberations. The jury got the case Friday afternoon, after nearly the entire morning was devoted to closing arguments. The video above includes clips from closing arguments. Lawyers for Depp, who is suing Heard for defamation, said…