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Redfin, Zillow Respond To Viral TikTok Theory

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Stock graphic illustrates surging real estate prices.

Las Vegas real estate agent Sean Gotcher posted a video to TikTok last week in which he outlined how an iBuyer (Instant Buyer) could aggressively buy up houses in pretty much any American neighborhood and artificially jack up real estate prices.

In the video, Gotcher laid out a hypothetical scenario with an unnamed company buying up homes in a neighborhood for $300,000.

In Gotcher's scenario, after buying up 30 homes, the company pays $340,000 for "an equivalent home," therefore jacking up the prices of all other homes it owns.

Read more about Gotcher's theory below.

TikTok Video

Gotcher described in detail how a company could easily fix prices by buying up properties in any given neighborhood, instead of letting the market decide.

"What that just did is create a new comp," the real estate agent said in his video, as reported by Inman.

"So when they go to see these other 30 homes, that extra $40,000, that you can say this one just sold for $340,000, just made them $1.2 million," he explained.

The video quickly went viral, generating millions of views and more than 12,000 comments.

iBuyers Respond

Though Gotcher refrained from naming companies that could, at least in theory, do what he described, many TikTok users suggested that Zillow, Redfin and Opendoor could easily buy up a bunch of homes in a given area to boost the prices and profit.

Redfin CEO Glenn Kelman was quick to respond to Gotcher, writing in a Twitter thread that his company would "never intentionally underpay or overpay for a home" because that would be "madness."

"We offer every homeowner a choice of a cash offer or a brokered sale, sharing the data we use to price the home," Kelman said.

Zillow's Response

Zillow's official website.

Zillow echoed Kelman, saying that Gotcher's video was full of "misinformation and falsehoods."

The company said that "the simple truth is that through our services and tools, home shoppers have more power than ever before at their fingertips when buying, selling or renting their home because of the information we make available to them."

"We pay market value for every home we purchase... And on every home that Zillow buys and sells, we are transparent: the purchase and re-sale prices are publicly displayed on the property page on Zillow.com."

Experts Speak Out

Real estate analyst Mike DelPrete told Inman that the scenario Gotcher laid out sounds "possible," but that "doesn’t mean it’s probable."

DelPrete explained that iBuyers hold just one percent of the market share, which means it would take them years to take over the market in the way Gotcher described.

DelPrete also noted that Opendoor has failed to do what Gotcher outlined despite being the dominant company in this space.

As Slate reported, some claim that real estate prices have gone up in recent years due to companies like BlackRock buying up homes across the country.


Gabby Petito Update: Brian Laundrie Likened To Chris Watts As Search Continues

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Brian Laundrie, Chris Watts

In 2018, Chris Watts murdered his pregnant wife Shanann Cathryn Watts and their two daughters. The case drew nationwide attention, much like the mysterious disappearance and death of Gabby Petito is drawing today.

Petito went on a cross-country road trip with her boyfriend Brian Laundrie in July, but never returned home. Laundrie drove back to Florida alone in Petito's 2012 Ford Transit van, but then disappeared.

As the search for Laundrie continues, people are drawing parallels between the Petito case and the Chris Watts murders.

Laundrie And Watts

As The Sun reported, Internet sleuths believe there are striking similarities between Laundrie and Watts.

"Seeing pictures of Gabbi Petito posing smiling next to Brian Laundrie are like seeing pictures of Chris Watts smiling next to his family," one person tweeted.

"Brian Laundrie screamed Chris Watts’ vibes from day 1," another social media user agreed.

"So, Brian Laundrie was a person of interest but they weren’t watching him because he wouldn’t talk to police? What kind of logic is that? North Port Police really has shown us how messed up the system really is. Chris Watts didn’t get away bc they were on his a**," a third person pointed out.

Experts Weigh In

Brian Laundrie on police bodycam footage.

Experts have also compared Watts and Laundrie's behavior.

Body language expert Logan Portenier commented on the police bodycam footage of Laundrie and Petito, saying that Brian seemed "very calm and collected."

"He's still really going out of his way to try to not have any light shed against him... this could be because he's worried in a situation like this. It could just be that he's worried he'll get pegged for something that he wasn't doing," Portenier said of Laundrie's behavior in the police video.

"Agitation tells [were] just spilling out everywhere, but his overall demeanor is that he's a quieter person ... a little bit more mellow ... went out of his way to not point fingers at Gabby," he continued.

Watts' Body Launguage

Chris Watts speaks to reporters.

Second body language expert, Dr. Cliff Lansley, said that Watts showed an "expression of pleasure" when he claimed before the press to want his family "back."

According to Lansley, when Watts says "'I just want them back,' and he’s talking about his children here, you see the lip corners raised; you see the eyes tighten."

"His cheeks are raised. This combination of these two muscles is an indicator of genuine pleasure," the body language expert claimed.

A video of Watts speaking to reporters can be viewed below.

Where Is Brian Laundrie?

Laundrie has been missing since Tuesday last week, and police have found no traces of him thus far.

Sleuths over at reddit's r/BrianLaundrie are working very hard to crack the case.

One user speculated that Laundrie's parents helped their son escape justice.

"I think his parents knew that he had an involvement in Gabbys death/ disappearance, I think they wanted to protect him, might have even given him money as well. By now I'm sure he has a burner phone and so do the parents," they wrote.

Gabby Petito Update: Dog The Bounty Hunter Joins Search For Brian Laundrie

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Dog the Bounty Hunter speaks on Fox News.

The mysterious disappearance and death of 22-year-old Long Island native Gabby Petito continues to captivate the nation's attention as the search for her boyfriend Brian Laundrie continues.

Petito and Laundrie went on a cross-country trip in July, but only Laundrie returned home -- alone, and in Petito's 2012 Ford Transit van.

Laundrie has been missing since Tuesday last week, according to his parents, who have not exactly cooperated with the authorities, it seems.

Duane Dog Chapman has now joined the search for Laundrie. Read more below.

Dog The Bounty Hunter Joins Search

Dog the Bounty Hunter arrived at Laundrie’s parents’ North Port, Florida home on Saturday and knocked on the door, but nobody answered.

"The reason I went to Mr. [Christopher] Laundrie is I carry a reputation with me. The reputation is, ‘He gives you a second chance. He’s gonna get you, but he gives you a second chance,'" Chapman explained to Fox News.

He added that he knows exactly what Petito's parents feel like, because he lost a daughter around the same age as Petito in a car accident in 2006.

Where Is Brian Laundrie?

Chapman said he believes Laundrie is camping somewhere, probably near the Appalachian Trail.

"I think he’s young enough, not an experienced criminal, but what is his greatest experience? Outdoorsman -- that’s what he does the best," he said.

The bounty hunter explained that he feels like Laundrie probably wouldn't be able to hide in an urban environment.

"I don’t think he can shoplift, live on the run, live in cheap hotels. On a one-to-10 he’s probably a six, compared to the outdoorsmen and some of the guys I’ve captured."

Is Laundrie In Mexico?

Brian Laundrie on police bodycam footage.

Some have speculated that Laundrie may very well have escaped to Mexico, since he had more than enough time do so due to his parents failing to report his disappearance.

This is highly unlikely, according to Chapman.

"A White boy that doesn’t know Spanish, the cartel’s gonna grab him for the reward. So he’s not down there," he said, stressing hat Laundrie is most likely in the Untied States.

"Somebody else knows where he’s at, where they dropped him off at, or did they drop him off? That person is gonna tell us because, again, we're not the police. This is anonymous," he explained.

Surviving In Wilderness

Gabby Petito records a video with Brian Laundrie in the background.

As an experienced outdoorsman, Laundrie is capable of surviving in the wilderness for months, according to Petito's best friend, Rose Davis.

"He is out in the wilderness, I promise you," Davis told People.

"He's out there. He is. If he's alive, he's out there, camping out ... He lived in the Appalachians by himself for months," Davis noted, adding that she considered Laundrie a friend.

"You don't know what it's like for someone you considered a friend to murder your best friend," she said, describing Petito's death as "heartbreaking."

Gabby Petito Update: Funeral Held As Search For Brian Laundrie Continues

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Gabby Petito's funeral.

Twenty-two-year Long Island native Gabby Petito and her boyfriend Brian Laundrie went on a cross-country trip in July, but only the latter returned home.

Petito's body was found near Wyoming's Grand Trenton National Park a week ago, while Laundrie -- who has been named a person of interest in the case -- is missing.

Several law enforcement agencies, including the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), are working hard to locate Laundrie, but they've had no success so far.

Here's the latest update on the mysterious case.

Gabby Petito Funeral

Gabby Petito on police bodycam footage.

Family, friends and strangers paid their respects to Petito in a chapel at Moloney's Holbrook Funeral Home, Long Island on Sunday afternoon.

The walls of the chapel were decorated with photos of the deceased 22-year-old, while the altar at the front was covered in flowers and memorial candles.

A prayer card handed out to mourners contained a poem titled Let it Be, as reported by ABC News.

This phrase apparently had a special meaning for Petito, and she had it tattooed on her arm.

Petito's Father, Stepfather Speak

Petito's father, Joseph, and her stepfather, Jim Schmidt, both delivered emotional speeches at the service.

"I want you to take a look at these pictures, and I want you to be inspired by Gabby. If there’s a trip you guys want to take, take it now. Do it now while you have the time. If there is a relationship that you’re in that might not be the best thing for you, leave it now," Joseph Petito said.

Schmidt, a former firefighter, said that he's had to arrange and attend many funerals, but "not one of them has prepared me for this moment."

Mother Posts Facebook Update

Petito's mother Nicole Schmidt updated her Facebook page on Saturday evening after a 12-day silence.

"As I scroll through all the posts, my heart is full of love. I wish I could reach out and hug each and every one of you!!! Your support has been so overwhelming, and we are so filled with gratitude," Schmidt wrote, sharing a series of family photos with her followers.

"Please know what you are all doing for us does not go unnoticed, and with all of you by our side, we will get #justiceforgabby."

Where Is Brian Laundrie?

Brian Laundrie on police bodycam footage.

FBI agents visited Laundrie's Florida home again on Sunday, requesting personal items that might have Laundrie's DNA, as reported by CNN.

Search teams have focused on the Carlton Reserve, and they've used drones and bloodhounds to look for Laundrie.

Laundrie is not suspected of murder, at least not yet, but he is facing a federal warrant for his arrest for the "use of unauthorized devices" for illegal credit card use.

Two rewards totaling $30,000 have been offered to anyone who shares information regarding Laundrie's whereabouts.

Woman Boiling Bear Urine To Drink Starts California Wildfire

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Photo of Alexandra Souverneva shown on CBS Sacramento.

The Fawn fire north of Redding, California sparked on September 22 but exploded a day after amid windy conditions. So far, the fire has consumed nearly 9,000 acres, destroying 144 homes and forcing thousands to evacuate from the area.

At one point, the fire threatened more than 9,000 structures, but heroic efforts by local agencies combined with the light rain that fell on Monday appear to have slowed it down.

Who started the fire? According to investigators, 30-year-old Palo Alto resident Alexandra Souverneva.

Read more below.

Souverneva Goes Hiking

According to a narrative written by a Cal Fire officer, Souverneva went hiking on September 22. She apparently wanted to hike to Canada, but things didn't go exactly as planned.

Souverneva arrived to the Mountain Gate community in Northern California, where quarry employees told her she has no right to be there, as reported by CNN.

Souverneva kept walking, but became thirsty. She found a puddle of water in a dry creek bed, but apparently concluded that the water was not safe to drink and tried to filter it.

Here's what happened next.

Bear Urine

Stock phot of camping pot above a fire.

Souverneva believed the water was contaminated with bear urine, so she first tried to filter it with a tea bag. When that did nothing, she tried to start a fire.

According to the officer's narrative, Souverneva thought she could boil the water to clean it of bear urine.

"She said that didn't work so she attempted to make a fire to boil the water. She stated it was too wet for the fire to start. She said she drank the water anyway and then continued walking uphill from the creek bed."

Charges Against Souverneva

According to District Attorney Stephanie Bridgett, Souverneva now faces a felony arson charge with an enhancement of committing arson during a state of emergency, and she could face additional charges.

"We are aware that there are possible additional fires here in our county that she may be linked to as well as other charges in other fires, statewide. My office will not hesitate to prosecute (any) person who either intentionally or recklessly starts a fire," Bridgett said.

Souverneva has been appointed a public defender and pleaded not guilty.

Who Is Alexandra Souverneva?

Souverneva attended the California Institute of Technology and worked for several pharmaceutical companies, before becoming an online yoga teacher, according to NBC News.

An instructor who taught Souverneva at Avalon Yoga International, described her as a brilliant student, noting that she attended the California Institute of Technology and worked in the pharmaceutical industry before turning against "big money-grubbing corporations."

"I thought she was an idealistic kid. She was into conservation and forests," said Steve Farmer, the chief executive of Avalon.

"She would have been the last person I would have thought to get involved in something like this," he added.

Gabby Petito Update: Dog The Bounty Hunter Receives Tip On Brian Laundrie, Parents

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Dog the Bounty Hunter speaks on Fox News.

Brian Laundrie and Gabby Petito embarked on a cross-country trip in July, but only one of them returned home.

Petito's body was found in Wyoming's Grand Teton National Park, while Laundrie returned home from the trip in Petito's white Ford Transit van.

Laundrie has been missing since Tuesday last week. Authorities have had a difficult time locating him, and some believe his parents, Chris Laundrie and Roberta Laundrie, helped plan the escape.

Duane Dog Chapman, also known as Dog the Bounty Hunter, joined the search for Laundrie last week.

Dog Receives Tip

Chapman received a tip alleging that Laundrie went to Florida's Fort De Soto Park in early September together with his parents. Laundrie stayed there while his parents left, the tip claims.

"They were registered, went through the gate. They’re on camera. They were here. We think at least if he’s not here right now, we are sure he was caught on camera as he went in the gate -- that he was here for sure. Not over in the swamp," Chapman explained to Fox News.

Chris and Roberta allegedly visited their son on September 6 and spent a night with him in the camp.

Family Denies Allegations

Roberta and Chris Laundrie deny these allegations.

In a statement released through their lawyer, Roberta and Chris insisted that they "do not know where Brian is" and claimed to be concerned for his well being.

"They are concerned about Brian and hope the FBI can locate him. The speculation by the public and some in the press that the parents assisted Brian in leaving the family home or in avoiding arrest on a warrant that was issued after Brian had already been missing for several days is just wrong."

Parents Called Cops On Dog

Dog the Bounty Hunter paid a visit Laundrie’s parents’ North Port, Florida home on Saturday. He knocked on their door, but nobody answered.

As The Evening Standard reported, Laundrie's parents actually called the cops on Chapman.

"The police said we were welcome to knock on the door so we did. I wanted to tell the Laundries that our goal is to find Brian and bring him in alive," Chapman explained, adding that he believes Laundrie is camping nearby.

"This kid is an outdoorsman, so I think he went where he’s comfortable," he said.

Did Laundrie Escape To Mexico?

Brian Laundrie on police bodycam footage.

Is it possible that Laundrie escaped to Mexico, with a little help from his parents? According to Chapman, Laundrie most probably hasn't left the United States.

"A White boy that doesn’t know Spanish, the cartel’s gonna grab him for the reward. So he’s not down there," the dog said last week, as reported by The Inquisitr.

"Somebody else knows where he’s at, where they dropped him off at, or did they drop him off? That person is gonna tell us because, again, we're not the police," he added.

Frank Somerville Allegedly Suspended For Criticizing Gabby Petito Coverage

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Anchor Frank Somerville delivers remarks.

Popular KTVU anchor Frank Somerville was “suspended indefinitely” last week after a disagreement with KTVU’s news director over coverage of the Gabby Petito case.

Petito went on a cross-country trip with her boyfriend Brian Laundrie in July, but never returned home.

Her body was found near Wyoming's Grand Trenton National Park, but Laundrie is still missing.

The mysterious case has captivated the nation's attention, but some have criticized the press for covering it extensively, claiming that reporters only care about missing person cases when a white woman is involved.

'Missing White Woman Syndrome'

Somerville was suspended precisely because he thought that his station was perpetrating the so-called "missing white woman syndrome," according to The Mercury News.

Somerville reportedly wanted to talk about missing women of color and criticized the media for focusing Petito's case while allegedly ignoring other similar cases, but news director Amber Eikel rejected the idea.

Eikel and newsroom producers reportedly thought it was neither the time nor the place to address the issue, though they weren't generally opposed to Somerville discussing it on KTVU.

Somerville Suspended

FOX and KTVU logos.

Somerville was informed that he was being suspended one day after clashing with Eikel and other executives.

Anonymous sources with inside knowledge told The Mercury News that some at the station believe Somerville was censored and treated unfairly, while others think he had no right to insist on sharing his views with the public.

As one person put it, Somerville is "paid to report the news, not his opinion."

Another individual familiar with the situation described the current newsroom environment as a "total sh*tshow."

What's Really Happening?

Neither KTVU nor Somerville have publicly addressed the situation, so it remains unclear if the anchor will ever return.

Somerville joined KTVU 30 years ago, in 1991, and has since become one of the station's most famous anchors, amassing fans across the country.

Somerville has never shied away from passionately sharing his opinions with the audience. He has nearly 600,000 followers on Facebook and frequently uses his massive platform to comment on various issues.

How are Somerville's fans taking the news? Scroll down to find out.

Fan Reactions

Commenters on reddit's /r/bayarea believe KTVU is in the wrong.

"Frank is an old a school journalist that actually has some pride and feels that the profession has some duty to the public. The station, like all modern news outlets, just cares about # of views. They wanted to milk this story for as much attention as possible," one redditor commented.

"Frank Somerville is my hero for the way he stood up for what he believes in. He has a black daughter and called out the hypocrisy in the handling of a missing white woman Compared to other missing women. Go on Frank, do your thing," another person added.

Chris Watts Regularly Receives Letters, Pictures From Adoring Female Fans

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Murderer Chris Watts speaks to the press.

In 2018, Chris Watts murdered his pregnant wife Shanann Cathryn Watts and their two daughters, four-year-old Bella Watts and three-year-old Celeste Watts.

Watts initially denied being involved in their deaths, but ultimately admitted to killing his wife and daughters in order to be with his mistress Nichol Kessinger.

Watts pleaded guilty for the brutal murders and is serving five life sentences plus 48 years in prison without the possibility of parole.

But the fact that he's a murderer doesn't bother everyone. Read more below.

Fan Letters

As The Mirror reported, prosecutors say Watts has been getting a lot of attention from women across the country.

Some are writing to the convicted murderer and sending pictures, while others are demanding to visit him in prison.

"In my heart I know you are a great guy. If you do write me back I’d be the happiest girl alive that’s for sure," one woman wrote to Watts.

Another woman sent a photo of herself in bikini to the child murderer, writing that she is "thinking a lot" about him.

Pen Pals

Stock photo of a prisoner writing a letter.

A person familiar with the situation recently told the press that Watts has several female pen pals.

"He got a lot of letters at first. Many of them are from women who thought he was handsome and felt compassion for him. He had nothing better to do, so he wrote them back. And he started having pen pals. A couple of them stood out, and they've kept in contact."

"But then he gets letters from women who want to connect with him, you know, romantically. He responds because he doesn't have anything better to do," the person added.

Female Fans

According to Dr. Bethany Marshall, who is a psychoanalyst, women who write to Watts and other murderers "are not so different from fanatics who fall in love with celebrities."

"There are some similar features. But I think it's a little deeper than that," Marshall said.

As The Mirror noted, these women may be suffering from a condition called hybristophilia, which is described as a sexual and romantic attraction to people who have committed gruesome crimes.

Watts is not alone -- many serial killers and convicted murderers have had adoring fans.

Ramirez, Bundy

Serial killer Richard Ramirez, also known as the Night Stalker, had dozens of adoring fangirls, according to Oxygen, and married one of them.

The fact that Ramirez murdered multiple people, molested children and raped several women just made him more attractive in their eyes.

Serial killer Ted Bundy, on the other hand, regularly received naked photos and marriage proposals from women around the globe. Some women even showed up at the courthouse during Bundy's trial dressed as his victims and acted like groupies.


Gabby Petito Update: Another Body Discovered As Search For Brian Laundrie Continues

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Brian Laundrie on police bodycam footage.

Brian Laundrie and his girlfriend Gabby Petito embarked on a cross-country trip in July, but only Laundrie returned home -- in Petito's white Ford Transit van.

Petito's body was found last week in Wyoming's Grand Teton National Park, but Laundrie has been missing since last Tuesday.

The mysterious case has garnered nationwide attention, but authorities have had no success in locating Laundrie so far.

As various law enforcement agencies, bounty hunters and volunteers continue to search for Laundrie, here is the latest update on the case.

Another Body Found

Remains matching the description of Robert Bob Lowery were found Tuesday at the base of Teton Pass in Wyoming, as reported by CNN.

Lowery's remains were discovered with the help of volunteer hikers and a search dog team.

The father of two from Houston was last seen more than a month ago, carrying a black duffel bag, a sleeping bag and a tent.

Teton pass is a few miles south of Grand Teton National Park, which is where Petito's body was found.

Petito Effect

Petito's disappearance and the search for Laundrie have helped shine a light on another missing person's case and may bring closure to Lowery's family, according to authorities.

"The widespread news coverage of the Gabby Petito search helped bring light to Lowery's case, and resulted in at least two members of the public calling local authorities this past weekend with new information about his possible last seen point," the Teton County Search and Rescue said in a statement.

The cause of Lowery's death is currently under investigation.

Lowery's Family

In a statement, Lowery's family thanked the search teams and asked the public for privacy.

"Bob has been a wonderful father, son, brother and friend. Our family wants to thank the news media and others involved in the search for our privacy at this difficult time."

Robert's sister, Leigh Lowery, told NBC News she hopes the Petito disappearance and death will raise awareness about other similar cases.

"Hopefully, more tips will come in to help these other families," Teton County Sheriff’s Deputy Chad Sachse added.

Controversies

Gabby Petito on police bodycam footage.

Though some are happy that the Petito case shined a light on other unsolved cases, others believe the press has been paying close attention to Petito for all the wrong reasons -- mostly because she is a white woman.

Veteran KTVU anchor Frank Somerville reportedly wanted to address on air what is being described as the "missing white woman syndrome," but channel executives prevented him from doing so.

This allegedly resulted in Somerville's suspension, and it remains unclear if he will ever return, as The Inquisitr previously reported.

Did Buster Murdaugh Kill His Brother Paul To Cover Up Stephen Smith's Murder?

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Teenager Stephen Smith who mysteriously died in 2015.

In July 2015, Stephen Smith's body was found with a fatal head wound on a road in South Carolina's Hampton County.

The authorities claim that Smith was walking home after running out of gas, and was then struck by a moving vehicle.

Stephen's mother Sandy Smith, however, believes her son was murdered because he was openly gay. If that is true, who murdered Stephen?

Internet sleuths are floating a new theory that suggests Buster Murdaugh killed Smith, as well as his own brother Paul Murdaugh.

Read more below.

Buster And Paul Murdaugh

The Murdaugh family -- a powerful legal dynasty that goes back to Randolph Murdaugh -- has been involved in several mysterious deaths.

Paul Murdaugh and his mother Maggie were shot to death in June. Alex Murdaugh, Buster and Paul's father, was shot in the head earlier this month, but survived.

He initially blamed the shooting on an unidentified man, but then admitted to participating in an insurance fraud conspiracy.

Many in the surrounding South Carolina community have speculated that Buster Murdaugh somehow was involved with Stephen Smith's death, but to date, Buster has not been formally charged in connection with it. In fact, some believe the two young men were in a relationship.

New Theory

A new theory on reddit's r/MurdaughFamilyMurders subreddit claims Buster killed his own brother.

Here are the questions one user asked.

"Buster has considerable motive! Has anyone said where Buster was? Was he also staying at Moselle with the family? Could he and Paul have gotten into a fight? Maybe mom steps in between them. Paul shoots mom and then Buster kills Paul. Alex shows up to clean up the mess. Buster being named in the lawsuit would wreck his future and career."

Were Parents Protecting Buster?

Another redditor speculated that Alex and his now-deceased wife Maggie may have been protecting Buster and throwing Paul under the bus.

"Paul had no future for the firm in law or accounting - wouldn't get bonded. They would protect Buster, who could continue the legacy. Also - more immediately crucial - protect the law firm. The partners who paid into the practice would not want to lose the firm over Paul's behavior," they wrote.

A third person added that Buster probably wasn't even worried about facing consequences "given the far reaching legal power of his family."

Who Really Killed Maggie And Paul Murdaugh?

Paul and Maggie Murdaugh pose for photographs.

As The State reported, Alex Murdaugh's attorney Dick Harpootlian said this month that he and partner Jim Griffin are investigating who murdered Maggie and Paul.

"We are not law enforcement. We don’t have their tools. But we think we will know this week whether the one suspect we are looking at bears further scrutiny," Harpootlian told the press.

"We will make that information available to law enforcement," the lawyer continued, noting that he believes whoever killed Maggie and Paul was likely motivated by "personal" grievances.

Gabby Petito Update: Parents Key To Finding Brian Laundrie, Expert Says

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Brian Laundrie on police bodycam footage.

Long Island native Gabby Petito and her boyfriend Brian Laundrie went on a cross-country trip in July, but only Laundrie returned home -- he drove back to Florida in Petito's white Ford Transit van.

Petito's body was found in Wyoming's Grand Teton National Park, but Laundrie vanished last Tuesday and authorities have had no success in locating him, despite help from body hunters and volunteers.

According to one expert, law enforcement agencies should focus on Brian's parents, Christopher and Roberta, if they want to find him.

Read more below.

Laundrie 'Could Be Anywhere'

Lenny DePaul speaks during an interview.

Former United States Marshal Lenny DePaul believes Laundrie "could be anywhere" at this point, but he's bound to "mess up."

"It doesn’t matter. Mexico. He can be on a boat sitting off the coast of Cuba. It doesn’t matter. He’s gonna mess up. He’s going to make the mistake," DePaul told The New York Post.

"I would run as fast and as far as I could, too, if I were him. Any way you look at it, it’s not good for him," the 30-year veteran of the Marshal Service added.

Parents Are Key

DePaul said that the investigators have to "tear" Laundrie's world "upside down" and focus on his parents.

"If I was sitting down with his mother and father at the kitchen table the first question I would ask them, 'If you knew where your son was would you tell me?'" DePaul noted.

"And nine times out of 10 they’re going to tell you, 'No I would not.' Now that tells me two things. Number one they know where he is. And number two I’m going to take a hard look at mom and dad."

Federal Warrant

Last week, the FBI obtained a federal warrant for Laundrie in Wyoming because he allegedly made purchases with somebody else's credit card.

According to DePaul, law enforcement can use this warrant as "leverage" against Laundrie's family and friends because eventually Laundrie will reach out to somebody he knows.

DePaul stressed that investigators are most likely already questioning Laundrie's friends anyway.

"Our technical operations groups, our electronic surveillance units, our financial surveillance units, these guys are all over this thing like a cheap suit," he said.

FBI Visited Laundrie Family Home

FBI visits Brian Laundrie's home.

On Thursday, the FBI paid another visit to the Laundrie family's home in North Port, Florida.

Two agents arrived to the home in a black SUV. They brought a large paper bag inside, and one agent climbed into a camper van parked outside the house, as reported by CNN.

According to Laundrie family's lawyer Steven Bertolino, the FBI was there to collect Laundrie's personal items.

"The FBI is at the Laundrie home today to collect some personal items belonging to Brian that will assist the canines in their search for Brian. There is nothing more to this," Bertolino said.

Rick Singer Allegedly Made $28 Million From 'Varsity Blues' Scheme

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Rick Singer walks down the street.

In 2019, federal prosecutors publicly revealed their findings regarding a vast criminal conspiracy to influence undergraduate admission decisions at a number of prestigious universities in the United States.

Dozens of people have been charged as part of the conspiracy thus far, with many of them pleading guilty.

Former basketball and baseball coach Rick Singer is accused of orchestrating the scheme.

At least 33 parents of college applicants allegedly paid millions between 2011 and 2018 to Singer, according to an investigation into the matter, which was code named Operation Varsity Blues.

Keep reading for the latest updates.

Rick Singer Update

As The Orange County Register reported, forensic accountant Lauren George said Wednesday that Singer made nearly $28 million from the Varsity Blues scheme.

Most of that money, around $26 million, came from parents, according to George, who explained that Singer paid approximately $7 million to various university sports foundations, coaches, teams, and school officials for agreeing to participate in his scheme and influence undergraduate admissions decisions.

In addition, Singer allegedly spent about $6 million on personal business investments and expenditures, George said.

New Details

George also said the following, per The Orange County Register.

"She said the bank accounts of Singer’s admissions consulting businesses -- Edge College & Career Network & Key -- had deposits of more than $43 million and withdrawals of more than $34 million between January 2013 and February 2019. She didn’t explain whether any of that money flowed into his personal accounts."

Singer invested some of his money in the Swansea City Football Club and the Sharky’s chain of Mexican restaurants, according to court documents.

Defense

Though he pleaded guilty, Singer has cooperated with the authorities. He even secretly recorded parents and provided information on them to the FBI, which suggests that he will serve very little time in prison if convicted.

Additionally, Singer forfeited $3.4 million and several investments as part of his plea.

The defense case began on Friday, according to The Orange County Register, which reported that Singer's lawyers are expected to call Pat Haden, the former athletic director at the University of Southern California (USC), as their first witness.

'Operation Varsity Blues: The College Admissions Scandal'

The Netflix app is seen on a laptop screen.

Singer is the subject of the popular Netflix documentary Operation Varsity Blues: The College Admissions Scandal, which was released in March this year.

Director Chris Smith recently told People that Singer "throughout his coaching practice... saw a greater opportunity, which was to utilize coaches at universities as a way to gain access through what he called the 'side door."

Smith said that he realized "just how little there was available" about the elusive Singer as he was making the documentary.

"The wiretap transcripts ended up being invaluable. We really got to know him through the interactions that he had with the parents," he added.

Is Roseanne Barr Still A QAnon Follower?

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Roseanne Barr poses for photographs.

Actress and comedian Roseanne Barr is no stranger to controversy, having found herself involved in a number of high-profile scandals over the years.

Most recently, Barr garnered national attention due to her outspoken support for former President Donald Trump, and because she promoted the QAnon conspiracy theory.

The bizarre theory claims that Trump is secretly fighting a cabal of child-eating Satanists and it is being disseminated by the mysterious "Q" on far-right message boards.

Where is Barr now, and does she still believe in QAnon?

Roseanne Barr & QAnon

QAnon supporters hold a protest.

On several occasions, Barr made it clear that she actually believes Trump is trying to rid the world of Satanic pedophiles.

"President Trump has freed so many children held in bondage to pimps all over this world. Hundreds each month. He has broken up trafficking rings in high places everywhere," she once tweeted, per Cheat Sheet.

Barr has also promoted other conspiracy theories, and she once inexplicably posted the words "MKULTRA" to Twitter, referring to the CIA's controversial mind control program that dates back to the 1960s.

Social Media Controversies

In 2018, ABC abruptly canceled a reboot of the show Roseanne after the comedian posted racist tweets attacking former President Barack Obama's adviser Valerie Jarrett.

Barr claimed that she posted the tweets while on the sleeping medication Ambien, which is known to lower self-control and inhibitions, but ABC executives never changed their mind.

It was around that time that Barr's career took a turn for the worse, as she shifted to far-right politics and conspiracy theories, using her platform to attack Democrats and other Trump critics.

Involvement In MAGA Movement

Former President Donald Trump holds a MAGA rally.

As a strong Trump supporter, Barr has made an effort to be part of the former president's Make America Great Again (MAGA) movement, participating in various conferences and rallies, and interacting with Trump supporters.

Barr has attended several pro-Trump events over the years, mingling with individuals like MyPillow CEO Mike Lindell, whose efforts to reinstate Trump as president have garnered nationwide attention.

Interestingly, Barr's husband former husband Tom Arnold has long been one of Trump's most vocal celebrity critics, as reported by Rolling Stone.

Does Barr Still Believe In QAnon?

Is Barr still a QAnon follower?

That remains unclear, at least for the time being. The actress has not been very active on social media, neglecting her Twitter and Instagram pages.

However, she has been fairly active on YouTube, where she has her own channel and frequently comments on politics and other issues.

Notably, in one of her videos, Barr seemed to express support for the LGBTQ community, which many saw as a sign that she is no longer a hardline right-winger.

However, in other videos, Barr called for the impeachment of President Joe Biden and slammed liberals.

French Police Officer Confesses To Being Serial Killer, Rapist In Suicide Note

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French serial killer Francois Verove.

From 1986 to 1997, Parisians lived in fear of the pockmarked killer (Le Grêlé), who committed multiple murders and rapes but was never discovered by the authorities.

The 35-year-old hunt for the vicious killer ender this week, after former police officer Francois Verove confessed to being the infamous Le Grêlé -- and killed himself, thus avoiding justice.

The shocking case has captured the attention of both French and international media, with many wondering how Verove evaded capture for so long.

Read more below.

Suicide Note

As reported by USA Today, Verove overdosed on Wednesday after being called in for questioning and asked by the police to submit a DNA sample.

DNA testing confirmed that it was indeed Verove who committed multiple murders and rapes between 1986 and 1997 in Paris, France.

Verove confessed to several rapes and murders in his suicide note, but none of this will bring closure to victims' families, according to their lawyer Didier Saban.

"We won't ever know all the crimes Le Grêlé committed," Saban said.

Murders, Rapes

Verove is linked to a number of murders, including the killing of a 11-year-old girl. He is also linked to at least six rapes.

French authorities will most likely reopen several unsolved murder and rape cases to see if Verove's DNA matches with evidence found at crime scenes.

Verove was 59 years old when he killed himself. He was reportedly found in an apartment on the Mediterranean coast. In his suicide note, he confessed to having certain "impulses" but didn't name his victims or provide additional details.

DNA

DNA stock photo.

Verove's DNA "was still able to be linked to several of the crime scenes," according to USA Today, which noted that he was a police officer responsible for protecting the presidential palace when he went on the crime spree.

"Verove was a police officer during the time of the murders and rapes. His post included being part of an elite unit responsible for protecting the presidential palace and also in a unit that investigated pedophilia. It is unclear if Verove used his police credentials to lure in victims."

Similar Cases

In 2020, 74-year-old Joseph James DeAngelo, known as the Golden State Killer, admitted to committing more than a dozen murders in the 1970s and 1980s.

As reported by NPR, United States investigators identified DeAngelo -- a former police officer -- using public genealogy websites to trace his DNA.

DeAngelo pleaded guilty to dozens of murders and rapes, some of which he couldn't be convicted of due to the statue of limitations. He is serving a life sentence without the possibility of parole.

DeFi Protocol Mistakenly Sends $90M To Users

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Stacks of US dollar bills.

Compound, the popular decentralized finance, or DeFi, software protocol accidentally gave out more than $90 million to users due to a software bug.

A "one-letter bug" in the code is allegedly to blame for what happened, but many users simply don't care and are grateful that they've received what is essentially free money.

But the episode is not over yet, and most likely won't be anytime soon.

The founder of Compound Robert Leshner has been pleading with users to return the money, but he has also issued thinly-wailed threats.

Software Bug

Leshner took to Twitter to explain what went wrong with Compound, as reported by CNBC.

"The new Comptroller contract contains a bug, causing some users to receive far too much COMP," he said in one tweet.

"There are no admin controls or community tools to disable the COMP distribution; any changes to the protocol require a 7-day governance process to make their way into production," Leshner explained.

This suggests that the situation is likely to remain unsolved for at least another week, until Compound fixes the bug.

Leshner Threatens, Pleads

Leshner has used Twitter to both threaten and plead with Compound users, stressing that they need to return the money, though it essentially belongs to them now.

"If you received a large, incorrect amount of COMP from the Compound protocol error: Please return it," he tweeted.

"Keep 10% as a white-hat. Otherwise, it’s being reported as income to the IRS, and most of you are doxxed," Leshner added, suggesting that he will expose people who refuse to return the money and report them to the authorities.

Will Anyone Return Money?

Will anyone return the money Compound mistakenly sent out? Some people probably will, according to blockchain security researcher Mudit Gupta.

"Alchemix [another DeFi protocol] had a similar incident a few months back where they gave out more rewards than intended. Almost everyone who got the extra rewards refunded the extra," Gupta said.

"This makes me optimistic that people will refund most of COMP tokens, as well, but you can never be sure," he added.

The Alchemix exchange lost just $4.8 million, however, which is nothing compared to the $90 million Compound lost.

Will Leshner's Threats Work?

The IRS website is seen on a computer screen.

What if Leshner actually reported those who are refusing to return the money to the IRS?

According to Shehan Chandrasekera, the head of tax strategy at crypto tax software company CoinTracker.io, it is true that section 61 of the IRS code defines income "very broadly."

"If you received a large sum from this error and decide to keep it, that would be considered income," Chandrasekera said.

Per Cornell, the IRS defines gross income as "all income from whatever source derived," including royalties, dividends, gains from business, and so on.


Is Yashar Ali Recovering From Depression At Inpatient Facility Funded By Wealthy 'Friend'?

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Man wearing a hoodie with question mark on his face stock photo.

Journalist Yashar Ali was long one of the most powerful Twitter influencers, and he frequently used his massive platform to break major stories, out sexual abusers, and fundraise millions for various causes.

But Ali vanished in June, days after Los Angeles magazine published a devastating expose claiming that he became famous by essentially befriending celebrities and taking advantage of them.

Once a prolific tweeter, Ali hasn't posted anything to social media since June, when he also claimed to be depressed and suicidal.

New Rumors

For well over a decade, an anonymous blogger at Crazy Days and Nights has been exposing celebrities and sharing seemingly credible information about some of the most powerful people in Hollywood, including those working in the media industry.

So what does this have to do with Yashar Ali? A Crazy Days and Nights entry from July is now garnering widespread attention, with many speculating that the "A-list journalist" referenced in that blog post is actually Ali.

Here's what the anonymous blogger wrote.

Blog Post

"Depression was a serious problem for the A-list journalist," the Crazy Days and Nights post reads.

"It was not a secret. He freely admitted it. After being exposed by the major hit piece, the depression quickly got much worse. Right now, a wealthy friend of the journalist is footing the bill for a lengthy inpatient stay, which doesn’t allow the internet."

The "major hit piece" most likely refers to Los Angeles magazine's feature about Ali, or at least that's what Crazy Days and Nights commenters believe.

Redditors Agree

The reddit logo is seen on a smartphone screen.

Members of reddit's r/BlockedAndReported sub-forum also believe the mysterious "A-list journalist" in Crazy Day and Nights' post is actually Ali.

"This could answer [the] 'Where is Yashar?' question. And if it is true, good for him. It's always good to see someone disengage from the internet when it's hurting their mental health," one redditor said.

"Uh to me that sounds like Yashar just got another wealthy mark to grift off of," another person wrote.

"And is it his bff Chrissy Tiegen?" a third user asked.

What Happened To Yashar Ali, Where Is He?

A screenshot of Yashar Ali's Twitter page.

As The Inquisitr previously reported, no one seems to know for sure where Ali is and what he's doing.

It does seem plausible that a wealthy person is taking care of Ali, because he appears to have made quite a few powerful friends over the years.

In fact, Ali began his career as a media influencer back in 2008, when he befriended then-Democratic National Committee (DNC) Chair Terry McAuliffe and began working for Hillary Clinton's presidential campaign.

After serving on Clinton's campaign, he went on to work for Democrat Gavin Newsom, who is now the Governor of California, and grew close to a number of A-list celebrities.

Miya Marcano Update: Body Believed To Be Her Found In Florida

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Miya Marcano

Nineteen-year-old Miya Marcano went missing on September 24. She was last seen at the Arden Villas Luxury Apartments in Orlando where she lived and worked, according to authorities.

Orange County, Florida sheriff's office, the FBI and the Florida Department of Law Enforcement all did their best to solve the case, but its conclusion was tragic.

At a press conference on Saturday, Orange County, Florida Sheriff John Mina said that a body believed to be Marcano has been found near an apartment building.

Read more below.

Body Found

"Everyone wanted this outcome to be different," Mina said at the press conference, as reported by CNN.

The investigators found Marcano's body while searching a wooded area near the Tymber Skan on the Lake apartments, which is located around 18 miles west of the college student's home.

Marcano's family has been notified of the discovery, Mina explained to members of the media, but the medical examiner has yet to make an official identification.

A purse with Marcano's personal identity documents was found near the body, according to the sheriff.

Armando Manuel Caballero

A man named Armando Manuel Caballero has been declared a person of interest in the Miya Marcano case.

Caballero, a maintenance worker at the Arden Villas apartments, allegedly had a romantic interest in Marcano, but she repeatedly rebuffed him.

"We are not looking for any other people. We believe pretty conclusively that Armando Caballero is responsible for this crime," Mina said.

Authorities say Caballero entered Marcano's apartment without her permission. Caballero was found dead of an apparent suicide on September 27, as The Sun noted.

Marcano Murder

The authorities actually talked to Caballero during the initial stages of the investigation, when he told them he had last seen Marcano around 3 p.m. on the day she went missing.

"We now know that a maintenance-issued master key fob, which Caballero was known to be in possession of, was used to enter Miya's apartment Friday afternoon, at about 4:30," Mina told reporters.

"This would have been about 30 minutes before she should finish her shift at the apartment complex," he added.

Caballero was never charged with Marcano's murder.

Missing Person Cases

The word "missing" is seen on a silhouette.

The mysterious disappearance and death of Gabby Petito appears to have prompted a renewed focus on missing person cases such as Miya Marcano's.

Petito embarked in July on a cross-country trip with her boyfriend Brian Laundrie, but never returned home. Her body was earlier this month in Wyoming's Grand Teton National Park.

Laundrie is still missing. Experts believe his parents are key to finding him, since he is an avid outdoorsman and most likely camping out somewhere in the United States.

Florida Man Says He Saw Brian Laundrie On Appalachian Trail

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Brian Laundrie on police bodycam footage.

Couple Gabby Petito and Brian Laundrie embarked on a cross country trip this summer, but only the latter returned home -- in his girlfriend's white Ford Transit van.

Petito's remains were found earlier this month, near the Grand Trenton National Park in the state of Wyoming. Laundrie -- designated a person of interest in the case -- has not been seen since September 14.

The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) has issued a warrant for Laundrie's arrest on charges of credit card fraud. Below is the latest update on the mysterious case.

Appalachian Trail

Man hiking on Appalachian Trail.

Dennis Davis, an engineer and avid hiker based in Florida, claims to have encountered Laundrie on a deserted road near the Appalachian Trail in the state of North Carolina.

The encounter allegedly took place on Saturday morning.

"There is no doubt in my mind I spoke to Brian Laundrie -- none whatsoever," Davis told The New York Post in an interview.

"Dog the Bounty Hunter’s daughter sent me an audio file of Brian’s voice and the voice was the same I heard," Davis explained.

Asking For Directions

Davis told The Post that Laundrie waved him down and asked for directions, saying he wanted to drive to California.

"He said 'man, I’m lost.' I said 'what are you trying to find?' and he said 'me and my girlfriend got in a fight but she called me, told me she loves me, and I have to get to California to see her.'"

"I said 'well, I-40 is right there and you could take it west to California' and he said, 'I’m just going to take this road into California,'" Davis continued.

"He was worried and not making sense," he added.

Who Did Davis See?

Davis did not immediately recognize the man he encountered as Laundrie, but when he pulled over and looked up photos of the fugitive he was certain.

The man Davis spoke with allegedly had a bandana on his head and drove a pick up truck resembling a Ford F-150.

Laundrie is an outdoorsman so many have speculated that he is hiding out somewhere in nature.

As The Daily Beast reported, Laundrie allegedly once spent months in the Appalachians all by himself, which suggests that he is more than familiar with the terrain and capable of surviving there.

Davis Says Law Enforcement Ignored Him

Davis claims to have contacted the FBI and called 911 in both North Carolina and Tennessee, but to no avail -- law enforcement has yet to return his calls.

"Obviously, as a father with a daughter, I want to do whatever I can to help the family find closure and get this guy off the streets," Davis said.

"Law enforcement is probably getting millions of leads on this guy, but I am not some goofball out there doing drugs in the middle of the night, I am a highly educated professional," he added.

Clint Eastwood Wins $6.1M Cannabis Lawsuit

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Actor Clint Eastwood looks on.

Hollywood legend Clint Eastwood won on Friday a $6.1 million lawsuit against a Lithuanian cannabidiol (CBD) company that used his image and likeness without permission.

The company ran online advertisements that made it seem as though Eastwood was endorsing their products, as reported by The New York Times.

Eastwood and Garrapata -- the company that owns the rights to his likeness -- filed last year two lawsuits in federal court in Los Angeles against three CBD manufacturers and marketers whose ads falsely implied that the famous actor endorsed their products.

Read more below.

Misleading Ads

One of the ads published by the company Mediatonas UAB was essentially an online article that contained a fake interview with Eastwood. The article included a photo of the actor and links to buy CBD products.

The court documents said that Eastwood "has no connection of any kind whatsoever to any CBD products and never gave such an interview."

Judge Gary Klausner of United States District Court for the Central District of California entered a default judgment because Mediatonas failed to respond to a summons in March.

Eastwood Awarded $6M

Actor Clint Eastwood looks on.

In the end, Eastwood and Garrapata were awarded $6 million. In addition, Mediatonas was ordered to pay $95,000 in attorneys’ fees and cease using the famous actor and director's likeness in its CBD ads.

Eastwood's lawyer Jordan Susman welcomed the court's decision, releasing the following statement.

"In pursuing this case, and obtaining this judgment, Mr. Eastwood has again demonstrated a willingness to confront wrongdoing and hold accountable those who try to illegally profit off his name, likeness, and goodwill."

Mediatonas did not respond to requests for comment from The New York Times.

Defamation

Eastwood and Garrapata also alleged that the Lithuanian company is guilty of defamation, but Judge Klausner dismissed this.

"It requires additional context to understand what CBD products are and why a person like Clint Eastwood would not endorse a marijuana-based product," Klausner wrote.

The judge added that the language that was used in the advertisements "was not libelous on its face."

News of Eastwood, who is 91 years old, winning the lawsuit broke as the actor was promoting his latest film Cry Macho, a western based on the 1975 novel of the same name.

Cannabis Industry

Cannabis leaves stock photo

Though Eastwood apparently has no interest in the cannabis industry, some Hollywood stars have entered it.

Notably, as Cannabis Business Times reporter, actor and comedian Jim Belushi has his own cannabis farm.

"I think [cannabis] medicine across the board is not only for Alzheimer's, headaches, PTSD, seizures, backaches and pain, but it also enhances the taste of food, the touch of your lover's skin, the sound of music," Belushi said in a recent interview.

"I believe that hemp CBD is our avenue to the curious new consumer," he added.

Pandora Papers Show South Dakota Is A Major Tax Haven

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Hand behind coins with the word "tax" stock photo

The International Consortium of Investigative Journalists (ICIJ) began publishing on Sunday the so-called Pandora Papers, a trove of 11.9 million documents exposing financial crimes committed by the global elite.

World-known businessmen, politicians, musicians, models, and athletes have all been exposed in the Pandora Papers, which showed that they hide millions in tax havens.

It comes as no surprise that countries like Switzerland and the Seychelles serve as tax havens, but the Pandora Papers show that one American state is disturbingly accommodating to financial crime: South Dakota.

Read more below.

South Dakota Exposed In Pandora Papers

As The New York Post reported, the Pandora Papers show that around $360 billion in customer assets are currently held in various trusts based in the state of South Dakota.

The figure has allegedly more than quadrupled over the past decade, according to the ICJ, which wrote the following.

"The documents provide details about the movement of hundreds of millions of dollars from offshore havens in the Caribbean and Europe into South Dakota, a sparsely populated American state that has become a major destination for foreign money."

South Dakota Laws

Around $360 billion is being held in South Dakota trusts because lawmakers have approved legislation "championed by insiders in the trust industry."

According to The Washington Post, which participated in the investigation, South Dakota is now comparable to notorious tax havens around the globe.

"South Dakota now rivals notoriously opaque jurisdictions in Europe and the Caribbean in financial secrecy," the outlet noted.

A few other American states, such as Nevada and Florida, appear to be moving in the same direction, according to the documents.

Human Rights Abuses

Some of the assets sheltered in South Dakota are linked to individuals and organizations that have been accused of human rights abuses.

The documents show that "family members of the former vice president of the Dominican Republic, who once led one of the largest sugar producers in the country, finalized several trusts in South Dakota."

"The trusts held personal wealth and shares of the company, which has stood accused of human rights and labor abuses, including illegally bulldozing houses of impoverished families to expand plantations," per The Washington Post.

Political Implications

President Joe Biden delivers remarks.

The Pandora Papers show that American states like South Dakota are tax havens, which could be an embarrassment for President Joe Biden, who promised to "bring transparency to the global financial system," according to The Guardian.

ICJ Director Gerard Ryle told the outlet that politicians are the main obstacle to meaningful tax reform.

"When you have world leaders, when you have politicians, when you have public officials, all using the secrecy and all using this world, then I don’t think we’re going to see an end to it," he warned.

China PCR Purchases Surged Before First Reported Case Of COVID-19

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Lab technician holds a swab sample.

The World Health Organization (WHO) declared the novel coronavirus a pandemic in March 2020, which led to governments around the world instituting various public health measures to curb the spread of the dangerous disease.

Multiple vaccines are now widely available, but they are no longer as effective as they once were, due to COVID-19 evolving into new variants.

But what exactly are the origins of COVID-19? Some believe the virus originated in nature, while others claimed it leak from a laboratory in the Chinese city of Wuhan.

New Evidence

New evidence suggests that the Chinese government knew about COVID-19 long before the rest of the world -- and prepared accordingly.

As reported by Newsweek, research from the Australian cybersecurity firm Internet 2.0 shows that labs in Wuhan bought up a mass quantity of polymerase chain reaction testing equipment (PCR) in December 2019, months before the first case of COVID-19 was reported.

PCR tests are widely used to determine whether someone has contracted the novel coronavirus, and they are far more accurate than antigen and antibody tests.

PCR Equipment

Coronavirus testing equipment.

According to the firm's findings, Wuhan laboratories issued 72 contracts containing PCR equipment in 2017, and 89 contracts in 2018.

This number surged in 2019, however, with Wuhan laboratories issuing 135 contracts containing PCR equipment. In addition, financial investments in PCR equipment in Wuhan increased by around 600 percent from 2015 to 2019.

What's more, the 2019 increase in purchases started in May 2019, but peaked in July, five months before China reported the first case of COVID-19 to the WHO and other international organizations.

What Do Experts Say?

All of this suggests that the Chinese government deliberately hid information from the rest of the world, according to experts.

"You can see across the trend that, starting in May and all the way through to December, you see a massive increase in PCR procurement data," Cybersecurity analyst Robert Potter said.

"Some of this may be benign but taken together it gives us a trend that comprehensively challenges the official narrative that the pandemic started in December."

Former director of U.S. National ­Intelligence John Ratcliffe, meanwhile, opined that "there's more than just smoke here."

Lab Leak Theory

Lab technician conducts testing

As The Sun reported, revelations regarding spikes in PCR purchases seem to feed into the so-called lab leak theory.

According to former MI6 chief Richard Dearlove, the evidence clearly suggests coronavirus leaked from a lab.

"If you look at the evidence coldly, the likelihood is this is an escape from a laboratory, and it's up to the Chinese to demonstrate conclusively to us that it isn't, not just to tell us," Dearlove said.

"I'm not saying they deliberately released it, I'm saying this is a Chinese accident but there was a cover-up from day one," he noted.

Anthony Fauci Is Repeating Mistakes He Made During AIDS Crisis, Columnist Says

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Dr. Anthony Fauci looks on.

Dr. Anthony Fauci, the director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID) and President Joe Biden's chief medical adviser, has served in the American public health sector for more than five decades.

Fauci rose to national prominence during the AIDS epidemic in the 1980s, when members of the LGBTQ community accused him of spreading hysteria and homophobia.

Now in charge of the U.S. government's response to the coronavirus pandemic, Fauci is once again being accused of inducing panic and spreading misleading information.

Columnist Slams Fauci

Writing in The Wall Street Journal, columnist John Tierney argued that Fauci is repeating the same mistakes he made decades ago during the AIDS crisis.

At the time, experts like Fauci claimed AIDS -- which was spreading among drug users and gay men -- would "devastate" the entire population.

In fact, in an 1983 editorial in the Journal of the American Medical Association, Fauci claimed that AIDS could even infect children because "the possibility that routine close contact, as within a family household, can spread the disease."

We now know, of course, that Dr. Fauci's theory was wrong.

Flip-Flopping

Less than two months after claiming that AIDS could infect children, Fauci completely changed his mind and said that it was "absolutely preposterous" to suggest that the disease could spread so easily.

Fauci has flip-flopped numerous times amid the COVID-19 pandemic, as reported by Fox News.

For instance, in January 2020 Fauci said that coronavirus was a "very, very low risk to the United States." He also warned people against buying face masks and described them as unnecessary, but then abruptly changed his mind -- now he says even fully vaccinated people should wear masks.

AIDS Vs. Coronavirus

"Even at the height of the AIDS panic, there was some skepticism across the political spectrum," Tierney wrote, but there is none today.

According to the columnist, "AIDS fear-mongers" like Fauci were never held responsible. They are now once again spreading fear and panic, promoting draconian laws and mandates, and facing very little pushback.

"The journalistic, political and scientific establishments haven’t merely ignored the lessons of the AIDS epidemic. They’ve repeated and amplified the mistakes, spreading more needless fear and eliminating more civil liberties than the AIDS alarmists ever imagined."

Is Tierney Right?

Dr. Anthony Fauci delivers remarks.

Though many agree with Fauci's current recommendations and believe he is doing a good job leading the response to the pandemic, some believe political elites are consolidating power under the pretense of fighting COVID-19.

The founder of the Brownstone Institute for Social and Economic Research Jeffrey A. Tucker wrote in a recent op-ed that the fight against coronavirus is actually "starting to look like an old-fashioned political purge, whether justified by fake science or theology."

"It is happening at many levels of society," Tucker added.


Brian Laundrie's Sister Speaks Up, Dog The Bounty Hunter Shares Update

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Brian Laundrie on police bodycam footage, Dog the Bounty Hunter speaks to the pess.

Florida man Brian Laundrie and his girlfriend Gabby Petito went on a cross country in July, but only Laundrie returned home -- in Petito's white Ford Transit van.

Petito's remains were found earlier this month, near Wyoming's Grand Trenton National Park, while Laundrie has been missing since at least September 14.

Did Laundrie kill Petito? Where is he, and did his parents help him escape? These questions remain unanswered as authorities continued their search for Laundrie.

Here are the latest update on the case.

Laundrie's Sister Speaks Up

Brian's sister Cassie Laundrie spoke to the media Tuesday, saying she has no idea where her brother brother is.

"No, I do not know where Brian is. ... I'd turn him in," Cassie said, as reported by CNN.

"I worry about him. I hope he's OK, and then I am angry and don't know what to think. ... I would tell my brother to just come forward and get us out of this horrible mess."

Cassie added that she has "been cooperating with the police since day one."

Dog The Bounty Hunter Weighs In

Duane Chapman, also known as Dog the Bounty Hunter, has joined the search for Laundrie.

In a new interview, Chapman said he believes Laundrie is hiding out somewhere in nature, perhaps in Fort de Soto Park in Pinellas County, which he visited last month with his parents.

"He goes fishing or camping … with his parents, while he’s down here in that camp area, the bomb drops. Brian Laundrie hits national news. They are watching that on television and they’re going, 'oh no,'" Chapman said, per The New York Post.

Is Laundrie Suicidal?

Some have speculated that Laundrie ran away and took his own life after realizing the authorities were after him. According to Chapman, this is highly unlikely, because nothing indicates Laundrie is suicidal.

"I would assume, you know, he is alive. Not alive and doing well but he’s alive. There’s no evidence of him being suicidal like that anywhere. And you know he didn’t say that to anyone," the Dog said.

"If you go to his Instagram pages and look what kind of person he really is and the books that he reads, and especially a very favorite book, [those are] not books for suicidal people," he added.

Where Is Laundrie?

The Appalachian trail

Hiker Dennis Davis claims to have encountered Laundrie on a deserted road near the Appalachian Trail in North Carolina, as The Inquisitr previously reported.

Davis says he had a brief chat with Laundrie, who asked him for directions, but wasn't making much sense and seemed "worried" about something.

According to Cassie Laundrie, Brian is a "mediocre survivalist."

"It wouldn't surprise me if he could last out there a very long time. But also, I don't think anything would surprise me at this point," she said.

Kellogg's Plant Workers Go On Strike

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Kellogg's strike

Roughly 1,400 Kellogg's workers went on strike Tuesday at plants in Battle Creek, Michigan, Omaha, Nebraska, Lancaster, Pennsylvania and Memphis, Tennessee.

Union workers and the cereal makers have been negotiating pay and benefits (healthcare, holiday and vacation pay, retirement benefits) for more than a year.

It remains unclear how much the supply of Kellogg's signature breakfast products will be disrupted by the strike, but the company has refused to budge, threatening to ship well-paying jobs abroad if workers continue striking.

Read more below.

Intimidation, Blackmail

President of the Bakery, Confectionary, Tobacco Workers and Grain Millers International Union told The Associated Press that Kellogg's is essentially blackmailing its workers and trying to intimidate them.

He said that Kellogg's "continues to threaten to send additional jobs to Mexico if workers do not accept outrageous proposals that take away protections that workers have had for decades."

To deal with the strikes, the company will try to implement various contingency plans, but union workers will not back down that easily, it seems.

Threats

Daniel Osborn, president of the local union in Omaha said that most Americans would have a problem with Kellogg's moving production abroad.

"A lot of Americans probably don’t have too much issue with the Nike or Under Armor hats being made elsewhere or even our vehicles, but when they start manufacturing our food down where they are out of the FDA control and OSHA control, I have a huge problem with that."

Kellogg's spokesperson Kris Bahner claimed in a statement that the company "provides compensation and benefits for our U.S. ready to eat cereal employees that are among the industry’s best."

Kellogg's Shares Slip

Kellogg's logo is seen on a building.

The strikes have had an effect on Kellogg's shares.

As reported by Bloomberg, Kellogg's shares fell 0.8 percent to $64.02 at the close of trading on Tuesday.

"The concern here is about the potential for supply chain issues to be amplified if the company is unable to maintain production levels," Bloomberg intelligence analyst Jennifer Bartashus explained.

"Depending on how long a strike lasts, it will affect how much completed inventory will need to be used to meet their current obligations, and then how long it will take to rebuild that inventory once the strike is resolved," Bartashus added.

COVID-19 Strikes

Kellogg’s employees aren’t the first food workers to strike amid the coronavirus pandemic.

This summer, Frito-Lay workers in Topeka, Kansas went on strike claiming they were for forced to work overtime in dire conditions and for low pay.

As CNN reported, the workers and the company reached an agreement in the end.

The new contract provided workers with a guaranteed day off each work week, and eliminated what workers describe as "suicide shifts" -- shifts "where workers put in eight-hour days plus four hours of overtime before returning for their next shift."

NYPD Union President Resigns After FBI Raids His Home

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NYPD patrol car.

Ed Mullins, the leader of the the New York Police Department’s Sergeants Benevolent Association (SBA), resigned Tuesday after Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) agents raided his home, and his office.

Mullins was elected president of the SBA nearly two decades ago, back in 2002, and has allegedly long been "a thorn in the side of four commissioners," per New York Magazine.

The SBA is the second-largest police union in New York City. It is famously resistant to any type of reform and represents roughly 35,000 officers.

Theft Of Union Funds

According to The New York Post, the FBI raid is part of an investigation into suspected theft of union funds.

Photographers captured boxes of documents being carried out of SBA headquarters on Worth Street in Lower Manhattan. In addition, federal agents were seen seizing computers from Mullins' home in Port Washington, Long Island.

"We are carrying out a law enforcement action in connection with an ongoing investigation," FBI spokesman Martin Feely said.

Law enforcement sources told the outlet that Mullins and his collaborators are also being accused of mail and wire fraud.

Mayor Welcomes Raid

New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio looks on.

NYC Mayor Bill de Blasio, who has frequently sparred with Mullins and his union, appeared to welcome the raid.

"I think a lot of what he has done has been really, really destructive, especially in the middle of a crisis where we’re trying to unify and we’re trying to get people through together," de Blasio said of Mullins.

"I think he’s been a divisive voice, but that doesn’t cause me to feel anything in this situation, because I don’t know what’s happening. All I hear is an FBI raid … I want to really hear the details before I comment further."

Ed Mullins

Mullins has always been a controversial figure.

Per New York Magazine, he has been accused of making highly inappropriate comments, some of which have been described as racist and misogynistic.

Mullins once compared an arrested NFL player to a "wild animal." The official SBA Twitter account, meanwhile, called Rep. Richie Torres a "first class wh**re," while slamming New York's former health commissioner Oxiris Barbot as a "b*tch."

The SBA has also expressed opposition to the Fourth Amendment to the U.S. Constitution, which protects Americans from unlawful search and seizure.

Politics

Manhattan Republican Party Chair Andrea Catsimatidis made waves claiming that the FBI carried out the raid due to political pressure -- because the SBA endorsed former President Donald Trump in the 2020 presidential election.

Bizarrely, Catsimatidis suggested that the FBI is targeting Mullins on behalf of "the left," per The Daily Beast.

"The FBI raided the NYPD Sergeants Benevolent Association’s office this morning. SBA President Ed Mullins stood up for former President Trump and now they are coming for him. The left is sending a message to silence and squash all political opposition -- fall in line or suffer," she said.

Investigators Claim To Have Identified Zodiac Killer

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Sketch of the Zodiac Killer

The mysterious and elusive Zodiac Killer, who operated in Northern California in the 1960s, remains one of the world's most infamous murderers.

The Zodiac Killer targeted mostly young couples and murdered five known victims in the San Francisco Bay Area, but once claimed he killed as many as 37 people.

The Zodiac Killer sent taunting letters to the press, some of which included cryptograms, threatening to go on killing sprees unless they are printed.

The authorities have been trying to identify the Zodiac Killer for decades. A team of investigators now claims to have done just that.

Read more below.

Gary Francis Poste

A team of more than 40 former law enforcement investigators, military intelligence officers, and journalists called the Case Breakers has identified the Zodiac Killer as Gary Francis Poste.

The Case Breakers spent years looking for forensic evidence, analyzing photos, and deciphering letters Zodiac sent to several news outlets back in the 1960s.

They now claim with confidence that Gary Francis Poste is the Zodiac Killer and say that scars Poste's forehead match scars on a sketch of the Zodiac, as reported by Fox News.

Cheri Jo Bates

The Case Breakers believe the Zodiac Killer also murdered Cheri Jo Bates on October 31, 1966, in Riverside, California. Bates, who was 18 years old, was found dead in an alleyway on the Riverside City College campus.

In 1967, authorities received a letter, which is why investigators believe the Zodiac was responsible for Bates' murder. However, in 2016, a person admitted to writing that note as a "sick joke."

Authorities maintain that the Zodiac Killer had nothing to do with Bates' murder, but the Case Breakers disagree.

The Case Breakers

The Case Breakers believe Bates was murdered by the Zodiac and have tried getting investigators to compare her DNA to that of Poste, which they have refused to do.

"The real portion here has everything to do with ego and arrogance," Case Breakers team member Bill Proctor said of the Riverside Police Department.

"They're not talking about what they have which means that anybody else who comes to the table might have a reasonable argument that an outside organization's information is as valuable, if not more valuable, than what the police department has already done."

Is Gary Francis Poste The Zodiac Killer?

Evidence Board stock photo

Authorities have dismissed the Case Breaker's claims, saying that the evidence they've presented is not very convincing.

"Is there a chance that (the Case Breakers suspect) killed Cheri Jo Bates? No. If you read what they (the Case Breakers) put out, it’s all circumstantial evidence. It’s not a whole lot," Riverside Police Officer Ryan Railsback told The San Francisco Chronicle.

The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), meanwhile, said in a statement that "the Zodiac Killer case remains open. We have no new information to share at the moment."

Arlington School Shooting Update: Timothy George Simpkins' Family Says He Was Bullied

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Timothy George Simpkins

Four people were hurt Wednesday morning during a shooting at Timberview High School in Arlington, Texas, after one student pulled out a gun during a fight.

That student was later identified as 18-year-old Timothy George Simpkins. He was taken into police custody after turning himself in.

According to authorities, Simpkins has been booked into the Arlington City Jail on three counts of aggravated assault with a deadly weapon. His bond has been set at $75,000.

Below is the latest update on the case.

Motive

Simpkins's motivations remain unknown, according to police, but members of his family claim he was constantly bullied and even robbed by his peers.

"At the end of the day my lil cousin was bullied. I don’t know to feel about this he not no bad kid," cousin Cint Wheat wrote on Facebook, as reported by The Dallas Morning News.

A woman who identified herself as Simpkins’ mother also said he was bullied by classmates, but refused to provide more details about the alleged bullying.

The family spoke with the press on Thursday -- watch the video below.

Bullied, Robbed

Family member Carol Harrison Lafayette claims Simpkins was robbed prior to the incident.

"He was robbed. It was recorded. It happened not just once, it happened twice. He was scared, he was afraid," Lafayette stated, before apologizing and asking for forgiveness.

"There is no justification of anybody … being hurt. We have to take a look at the fact that bullying is real. And it takes us all. And I do apologize. We ask as a family for forgiveness of any type of hurt."

Fight Led To Shooting

Donald Williams, Mansfield ISD’s associate superintendent of communications, was asked to confirm if Simpkins was indeed bullied.

"What I will say to that is we take the safety and security of our students in our faculty and staff seriously," Williams said.

As The New York Post reported, Arlington Assistant Police Chief Kevin Kolbye confirmed at a press conference Wednesday that the shooting stemmed from a fight, as video footage posted to social media suggests.

"I can confirm that we are aware of both videos and we believe they show the fight that took place this morning prior to the shooting," he said.

Victims

Police outside Timberview high school.

A 15-year-old boy Simpkins shot remains in critical condition and doctors are reportedly fighting for his life. A 25-year-old man who was also shot, apparently a teacher, is in good condition, according to latest information.

A teenage girl was injured, but not struck by gunfire, according to police, while a pregnant teacher that fell during the incident appears to be doing well.

Teachers reacted quickly during the incident. As WRTV Indianapolis reported via Twitter, teacher Dale Topham quickly built a makeshift barricade in his classroom as soon as he heard the gunshots.

Man Accused Of Killing Instagram Influencer Wife Dead Of Suicide

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Thomas and Alexis Sharkey

On November 27, 2020, Instagram influencer Alexis Sharkey was reported missing after spending Thanksgiving with a group of friends.

The next morning, a City of Houston public works employee found her body near the Katy Freeway and Eldridge Parkway, when he saw her feet in the bushes.

Alexis Sharkey, who was 26 years old, had no visible injuries, but authorities later established that she died of strangulation and ruled her death a homicide.

Her husband Thomas Sharkey was the main suspect -- he is now dead.

Read more below.

Thomas Sharkey Dead

United States Marshals Service members were executing an arrest warrant on Tuesday evening when they found Thomas Sharkey fatally shot in the head inside his daughter’s Fort Myers home.

"There was no confrontation," Houston Police Sgt. Michael Burrow explained, as reported by Fox News.

"He simply went upstairs. The marshals were aware by talking to the family that there were firearms in the house and he had access to them. So, they waited and tried to talk him out and eventually, determined that he had taken his own life."

Investigation

Burrow said at a press conference Wednesday that the investigation into Alexis' death concluded her husband was most likely the killer.

"The investigation determined that Thomas Sharkey, her husband, was the only person who had the means, motive, and opportunity to have committed the murder," Burrow said, according to The Daily Beast.

"No one else is suspected of any involvement in the case. No one else is under investigation. We have clear evidence that Mr. Sharkey acted alone," the Huston police chief added.

Other Suspects

Burrow said that his department eliminated other potential suspects during the investigations, including the suspects that were "brought up by Mr. Sharkey."

Thomas and Alexis were going through a divorce when Alexis was murdered, according to Burrow.

"We established that there was history of domestic violence between the two of them and that their relationship was ending -- that there was a pending divorce," he said.

Burrow added that Thomas "had not been truthful about certain key issues and statements that he made to police" during the investigation.

Domestic Violence

Domestic violence stock photo.

Several people who were close to the couple told The Daily Beast that Alexis was a victim of domestic violence. She allegedly often complained about physical abuse and described her husband as "controlling and manipulative."

For a long time, Thomas Sharkey claimed he was innocent and even talked to the press, downplaying rumors that he and Alexis were getting divorced.

In a December interview with ABC13, he claimed that Alexis left the Thanksgiving dinner on her own.

"I just told her she couldn’t drive under the influence. She left anyhow. This is where we’re at," Sharkey said.

"I don’t need to set the record straight. I’ll let it play out the way it is. I know what my life was with my wife," he added.

Where Is Buster Murdaugh, Did He Kill Stephen Smith?

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Alexander Murdaugh, Buster Murdaugh, Maggie Murdaugh pose for a photograph.

The Murdaugh family, a powerful South Carolina legal dynasty that goes back to Randolph Murdaugh, has captured the nation's attention due to its involvement in several suspicious deaths.

Most notably, Alex Murdaugh was shot in the head in September but survived. At first, he blamed the shooting on an unidentified man but then admitted to participating in a conspiracy to commit insurance fraud.

Alex's wife Maggie and son Paul were shot to death in June, while his other son Buster has been accused of killing 19-year-old Stephen Smith.

Where is Buster Murdaugh now and did he really kill Smith?

Who Is Buster Murdaugh?

Richard Alexander Buster Murdaugh, who is 25 years old, was listed in 2018 as a graduating senior from Wofford College’s Government and International Affairs programs, according to The Island Packet.

Murdaugh was allegedly kicked out out of the University of South Carolina School of Law for plagiarism.

University spokesman Jeffrey Stensland told the publication that "a student by the name of Richard Alexander Murdaugh Jr. attended the University of South Carolina School of Law from Fall 2018 to Spring 2019," but declined to say whether Murdaugh left the school due to disciplinary action, citing student privacy laws.

$100K Reward

This summer, Alex and Buster Murdaugh offered a $100,000 reward for information leading to an arrest in the murders of Maggie and Paul Murdaugh.

The reward expired on September 30, as WSPA reported, and no arrests have been made in the case as of yet.

"We are disappointed that no one has stepped forward with any leads to solve the murder and claim the $100,000 reward At this time the family is evaluating what additional steps can be taken to solve the murders of Maggie and Paul," Alex Murdaugh's spokesperson said in a statement.

Where Is Buster?

The Daily Mail recently spotted Buster at his family's Edisto Island property in South Carolina.

"I have no interest in commenting on any of y'all's questions," he told reporters when approached for comment.

The tabloid nonetheless snapped a number of photos showing Buster casually dressed, loading his belongings into a Cadillac.

Buster has stayed out of the spotlight amid controversies involving his family. Prior to being spotted by The Daily Mail, he was seen at his brother Paul and mother Maggie's funeral service.

Did Buster Kill Stephen Smith?

Stephen Smith

Stephen Smith's body was found with a fatal head wound on a road in Hampton County, South Carolina in 2015.

Law enforcement claims Smith died after being hit by a vehicle, but his mother believes her son was murdered over his sexual orientation.

Reports from the South Carolina Highway Patrol, Hampton County Sheriff's office, and a Multi-Disciplinary Accident Investigation officer all suggest that Smith was not struck by a vehicle but actually murdered.

Buster Murdaugh and Smith were allegedly friends, but some claim they were in a relationship and believe Buster murdered him.


Man Kills Pharmacist Brother For 'Poisoning People' With Coronavirus Vaccines

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Jeffrey Allen Burnham

As soon as the World Health Organization (WHO) declared the novel coronavirus a pandemic, it became clear that only safe and effective vaccines could lead to a return to normalcy.

But conspiracy theories about vaccinations have caused unprecedented vaccine hesitancy, with millions around the world refusing to get their COVID-19 shots even though they are safe, free and widely available.

Conspiratorial thinking appears to have driven one Maryland man to kill three individuals last week, including his own brother, who was a pharmacist.

Read more below.

Jeffrey Allen Burnham

According to court documents viewed by Business Insider, 46-year-old Jeffrey Allen Burnham is accused of killing his older brother, Brian Robinette, and his wife, Kelly Sue Robinette, on September 30.

Brian and Kelly Sue's bodies were found in their home in Ellicott City, Maryland. Per court filings, both of them appeared to have been shot multiple times.

The police say Burnham also killed his mother's childhood friend, Rebecca Reynolds -- she was found dead in her home, with a cut across her throat and a pillow over her face.

'Killing People' With Vaccines

Burnham allegedly thought his brother, a pharmacist, was "killing people" by giving them coronavirus vaccines.

According to court filings, Burnham told his mother, Evelyn Robinette, that he was going to confront Brian for administering "poisonous" vaccines to people.

Evelyn called the police on September 29, and said that her son repeatedly kept telling her how the FBI was "coming after" him and claimed that his brother "knows something."

In addition, a tipster contacted the Maryland State Police on September 30, after encountering Burnham who told him his brother was "killing people with the COVID shot."

Arrest

Burnham was arrested in West Virginia on Tuesday and extradited to Maryland. He is reportedly being held without bond in Allegany County.

The 46-year-old now faces two counts of first-degree murder and two counts of second-degree murder, per court documents. Maryland abolished the death penalty in 2013. If found guilty, Burnham could serve life in prison without possibility of parole, or life in prison.

Brian and Kelly Sue's friends have set up a GoFundMe to help raise funds for their two children.

Vaccine Misinformation

'Fake news' website is seen on a smartphone screen.

As reported by USA Today, a recent NewsGuard study found that there are over 500 websites actively pushing dangerous coronavirus vaccine misinformation.

Some of these sites were "created specifically to spread misinformation about COVID-19," while others promote health and political conspiracy theories in general.

"It's become virtually impossible for people to tell the difference between a generally reliable site and an untrustworthy site. And that is why there is such a big business in publishing this information," NewsGuard co-founder Gordon Crovitz explained.

Eighteen Former NBA Players Charged With Fraud

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18 NBA players charged with fraud.

Eighteen former NBA (National Basketball Association) players were charged Thursday with attempting to defraud the league's Health and Welfare Benefit Plan out of nearly $4 million.

Among the defendants are Terrence Williams, Alan Anderson, Anthony Allen, Shannon Brown, William Bynum, Ronald Glen Davis, Christopher Douglas-Roberts, Melvin Ely, Jamario Moon, Darius Miles, Milton Palacio, Ruben Patterson, Eddie Robinson, Gregory Smith, Sebastian Telfair, Charles Watson Jr., Antoine Wright, and Anthony Wroten.

As reported by NBC News, Anthony Allen's wife Desiree Allen is also facing charges.

Read more below.

'They Will Have To Answer'

U.S. attorney for the Southern District of New York Audrey Strauss said that "the defendants playbook involved fraud and deception."

"They will have to answer for their flagrant violations of law," Strauss stated.

He added that Terrence Williams was the "scheme's linchpin" because he allegedly submitted false claims to the NBA's health care plan and therefore defrauded the league out of millions.

Williams spent four seasons in the NBA, playing for the New Jersey Nets (now Brooklyn Nets, Houston Rockets, Sacramento Kings, and Boston Celtics.

The Scheme

The authorities were able to uncover the scheme due to the defendants' "sloppy work."

Gregory Smith, for instance, submitted claims for IV sedation, a root canal and crowns, but it turned out that he wasn't even in the country when he claimed the procedure took place.

As Strauss explained, "Travel records, e-mail and publicly available box scores showed that he was playing professional basketball in Taiwan that week and did not receive root canals in Beverly Hills as represented in the claim form he submitted."

Other player made similar mistakes.

Fraud

Michael Driscoll, assistant director in charge of the FBI's New York field office, said that the bureau will take this case "very seriously."

"This [health care] industry loses tens of millions of dollars a year to fraud. These costs are then passed down to business and customers. That's a fraud we take very seriously."

Sixteen of the 18 former players have already been arrested and face counts of conspiracy to commit health care and wire fraud. It remains unclear for the time being how many of them have hired lawyers.

NBA Responds

NBA logo is seen on a building.

The NBA said on its official website that it is collaborating with the investigation and issued a statement.

"The benefit plans provided by the NBA and the National Basketball Players Association to our players are critically important to support their health and well-being throughout their playing careers and over the course of their lives, which makes these allegations particularly disheartening. We will cooperate fully with the U.S. Attorney’s Office in this matter," the league said.

Several NFL players are facing similar charges and could spend years in prison, as NBC News noted.

Miya Marcano Update: Family Releases Video Of Suspected Killer

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Armando Manuel Caballero on video.

Nineteen-year-old college student Miya Marcano's lifeless body was discovered last week 18 miles west of her home in Orlando, Florida.

Marcano was apparently murdered by Armando Manuel Caballero, a maintenance worker at the Arden Villas apartments where she lived.

Caballero reportedly had a romantic interest in Marcano, but she repeatedly rebuffed him. He was found dead of an apparent suicide on September 2.

A new video released by Marcano's family this week provides additional context about the tragic case.

More on this story below.

Marcano Family Video

As reported by WTSP, the video -- which can be viewed bellow -- shows that members of Marcano's family confronted Caballero.

"You have sent obsessive texts to Miya. We have all seen the texts. You talk about giving her your life savings," a family member whose face can not be seen says in the video.

"I never said that," Caballero responds in the clip, saying he never had an "obsession" with Marcano.

"It’s not only from my side, so don’t try to make this like I’m a stalker," he tells the Marcano family member.

Police Mishandled Case, Family Says

Marcano's family maintains that the Orange County Sheriff's Office mishandled the 19-year-old's disappearance.

In a statement released through their lawyer, Marcano's family said they knew something was wrong with Miya when she missed her flight from Orlando to South Florida on September 24.

They claim this prompted them to contact the police to check on Marcano. A police officer was sent to Marcano's apartment, and searched it, finding a dresser at Miya's bedroom door and "noticeable tampering on her window."

Marcano's parents say they then called on family members to drive to her Orlando apartment from Miami. The family members arrived around 3 a.m. on Saturday, which is when the video of Caballero was recorded.

Police Holds News Conference

Miya Marcano

After Marcano's family released the video clip, the Orange County Sheriff's Office held a press conference defending its handling of the case.

"Our deputies are not permitted to arrest or detain someone based on a hunch or based on what someone else is saying. Instead, they must establish facts to justify such a detention," Orange County Sheriff John Mina told reporters.

Mina also said that Marcano's murder took place eight hours before the sheriff's office was contacted, suggesting that the police could not have prevented the murder.

Armando Manuel Caballero

Caballero had a track record of harassing women he was romantically interested in.

He was once accused of throwing a weight through a woman's window, as reported by Law & Crime.

This incident took place in March, when a woman agreed to go on a date with Caballero, but when he asked to hang out sooner she said she could not.

"A black weight was soon thrown through her bedroom window, the woman said. She did not see who did it, but she thought it was Caballero," per Law & Crime.

Government-Funded Trial To Determine If Ivermectin Is Effective Against COVID-19

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Ivermectin tablets

Several safe and effective coronavirus vaccines are free and widely available in the United States. And though they don't always prevent transmission, they greatly reduce the chances of hospitalization and death.

Nonetheless, many have shunned vaccinations and relied on drugs such as Ivermectin. As a drug used to treat parasitic infections, Ivermectin can be both prescribed to humans and given to animals, such as horses.

But is Ivermectin effective against COVID-19? That is what a new government-funded trial is hoping to determine.

Government-Funded Trial

Both the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) have made it clear that no evidence suggests Ivermectin is effective against the novel coronavirus, but that hasn't stopped patients across the country from taking the drug.

As KXLF reported, the new ACTIV-6 trial is likely to settle the debate on Ivermectin's coronavirus effectiveness once and for all.

Researchers are reportedly hoping to include thousands of patients at 250 clinical sites, and hundreds are already involved.

Ivermectin Effectiveness

One of the researchers, Dr. Rowena Dolor, explained that a robust clinical trial is absolutely necessary to determine whether Ivermectin can really help COVID-19 patients recover faster.

"We have done laboratory studies that have shown that it has some anti-viral effect is against SARS-CoV-2 and other viruses, but we don't know if that lab effect will translate into humans," Dolor explained.

"And so we want to do the act of study to scientifically test whether Ivermectin does benefit patients with COVID," she added.

Safety

People who self-medicate with Ivermectin often end up in hospital because they take the animal version -- which is available in farm supply stores -- in huge doses and without supervision.

"In this trial, we're actually dosing the medication based on the patient's weight, and we're low-dosing it based on the desired drug concentration that we need to treat the infection," Dolor noted.

She added that getting a diverse group of participants is key, because "we want to know that the trial results from these studies will be applicable to patients of color or communities of color."

Ivermectin Promoters

Joe Rogan speaks on his podcast.

Ivermectin became popular as a potential treatment for coronavirus thanks to right-wing media figures, politicians, and activists, who have long touted it as a miracle drug.

Even Joe Rogan, the host of the most popular podcast in the world, credited the drug with helping him recover from the novel disease, per Rolling Stone.

Rogan once discussed Ivermectin on his show, saying that a "doctor was saying ivermectin is 99 percent effective in treating COVID, but you don’t hear about it because you can’t fund vaccines when it’s an effective treatment."

Timothy George Simpkins Released On Bail, Reportedly Enjoys 'Welcome Home' Party

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Timothy George Simpkins released on bail

Eighteen-year-old Timberview High School student Timothy George Simpkins opened fire on a fellow student Wednesday, injuring four people.

Simpkins turned himself in that same day and was taken into custody and booked into the Arlington City Jail on three counts of aggravated assault with a deadly weapon.

A 15-year-old boy Simpkins shot is reportedly still in critical condition, while the 25-year-old teacher who was injured in the incident is recovering from broken ribs and a collapsed lung. The other two victims are in good condition.

Here's the latest update on the Simpkins case.

Simpkins Released On Bail

Simpkins was released on bail Thursday afternoon, after he posted a $75,000 bond.

As The New York Postreported, Simpkins was escorted from the jailhouse by two relatives into a white Mercedes.

He was photographed wearing a blue baseball cap and graphic T-shirt, and declined to answer reporters' questions while walking to the car.

Simpkins will have to submit to drug and alcohol testing, and wear a GPS monitoring device as part of the conditions of his release, according to the publication.

Welcome Home Party

As The Sun reported, video clips and pictures posted to social media suggest that Simpkins was thrown a "welcome home" party as soon as he was released from jail.

In the videos and photos, Simpkins is seen in his kitchen, casually chatting with family members, embracing them, and holding a baby. Many social media users thought this was in bad taste, being that one of his victims is in critical condition and others are recovering from severe injuries.

One of the videos was posted to Twitter by Mike Sington and can be viewed below.

Not 'Standard-Issue School Shooting'

Speaking on behalf of the Simpkins family, civil rights attorney Kim T. Cole said that this young man's case is not a "standard-issue school shooting" and asked members of the press to not treat it as such.

"There are numerous school shootings that have occurred across this country which are tragic. All school shootings are tragic. However, in this situation, this was not someone who was just out to go and shoot a school and had made up their mind [and said,] 'You know hey I’m upset and I’m just going to shoot anyone I see.'"

"That was not the situation here. So I request the media correct their narrative with regard to what happened, and that you all respect the family’s privacy," Cole added.

Alleged Bullying

Timothy George Simpkins family makes a statement

Cole was seemingly alluding to Simpkins family's claims that Timothy was a victim of bullying.

Family member Carol Harrison Lafayette told the press that Timothy was not just bullied, but also robbed multiple times. "He was robbed. It was recorded. It happened not just once, it happened twice. He was scared, he was afraid," Lafayette sad.

"There is no justification of anybody … being hurt. We have to take a look at the fact that bullying is real. And it takes us all. And I do apologize. We ask as a family for forgiveness of any type of hurt," she added.

Los Angeles County Sheriff Alex Villanueva Refuses to Enforce a Vaccine Mandate

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Los Angeles County Sheriff Alex Villanueva at a press conference.

An executive order for mandatory vaccines for public employees by October 1 is being ignored by L.A. County Sheriff Alex Villanueva reports NPR. Sheriff Alex Villanueva is said to oversee the largest department in the nation, one that is home to over 18,000 public employees. This Thursday in a Facebook Live event he stated he will not be carrying out this executive order.

The mandate was issued by executive order on August 4 of this year and allows only for religious and medical exemptions. Villanueva said his employees are willing to be terminated rather than get vaccinated.

L.A. County Vaccine Mandate

Chair of the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors, Hilda L. Solis, at a rally.

The order issued by Chair of the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors Hilda L. Solis stipulates that "effective immediately, all County employees to provide proof of full vaccination by October 1, 2021."

When she issued the order, she reported 3,734 new cases, 1,242 hospitalizations, and 16 deaths, according to a statement on her website regarding the order.

By August 20, 2021, the county had a peak of 29,174 new cases and a seven-day average of cases of 13,736 daily according to the New York Times.

Sheriff Villanueva's Rationale

Los Angeles County Sheriff Alex Villanueva's department photo.

Prior to the order, employees were permitted to submit to "at least weekly testing" in lieu of providing vaccination records.

Sheriff Villanueva provided the rationale behind his decision through a statement on Twitter. He's concerned more about crime than mask mandates.

In his statement, he criticized "a District Attorney who refuses to prosecute many misdemeanors" and slammed the L.A. County Board of Supervisors who he says want to "empty the jails and release felons back onto the streets." Previously this year Sheriff Villanueva had complained inmates were trying to infect themselves with Covid-19.

Sheriff Villanueva described a homeless problem of over 80 thousand L.A. County residents, and complained about a police force that was defunded and "stripped of 1,400 positions." He called these actions reckless and referred to them as "woke-ism."

The Fulgent System

A Los Angeles Police car.

Referring to a budget surplus of $2 billion, Sheriff Villanueva says that he has been forced to make some tough choices when it comes to resources. He says violent felonies will be policed before he brings out the "vaccine mandate police."

"The Department will continue requiring all of our employees to register with the Fulgent system, but will only seek voluntary compliance and testing for the unvaccinated."

The Fulgent System is a system wherein public employees are required to complete a verification of vaccine status online so that all records of employee vaccinations could be on file.

Vaccination certification was to be submitted to the Fulgent Database by all public employees by October 1, 2021.

For the Fulgent System, an option to enter "I am not vaccinated" exists, with the note,

"It is imperative that you get fully vaccinated and show proof of full vaccination prior to October 1, 2021."

The People Might Not Like It

Covid-19 vaccine

Some of the people that commented in response to the sheriff on Twitter had comments pertaining to safety and trust. One noted the "law enforcement that doesn't follow the law" while another said when a police call is required, ask for a vaccinated officer to attend. Another finds the resources argument "baffling."

NPR reports that Sheriff Villanueva says that he doesn't want to lose five to 10 percent of his workforce overnight because of the mandate.

The county reportedly has a vaccine rate of 78 percent with at least one Covid-19 vaccination, and 69 percent of the citizens are fully vaccinated.

R. Kelly's Streaming Sales Rocket by 517 % After Conviction

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R. Kelly in concert

Singer R. Kelly is in the Metropolitan Detention Center in Brooklyn as he awaits sentencing after being convicted of multiple counts of sex trafficking in a Manhattan federal court this year. While in jail, his streaming has skyrocketed by 517 percent according to Rolling Stone magazine.

Kelly's on-demand streams went up 22 percent and video streaming increased by 23 percent between September 27 and October 3. His streaming numbers in 2017 were approximately 5.4 million audio streams weekly, and this year they are reported to be at 6.4 million.

Mute R. Kelly

Sponsors and producers hit the pause on R. Kelly

Since R. Kelly was convicted his audio and video streams have seen numbers jumping from 11.2 million to 13.4 million. Album sales have soared by 517 percent.

During the course of R. Kelly's 2021 trial, services such as Apple Music and Spotify would not stream his music or would mute it on playlists when the timeline of allegations against R. Kelly was revealed. YouTube also closed down two of R. Kelly's accounts, saying they violated the guidelines on creator responsibilities. Multiple artists pulled any R. Kelly collaborations from their own work.

That includes Jennifer Hudson who pulled "Where You At" from streaming, a song produced by R. Kelly. Chance the Rapper also removed "Somewhere in Paradise" featuring R. Kelly.

Support for R. Kelly

Bill Cosby

R. Kelly is getting support in addition beyond his streaming numbers. Celebrity Bill Cosby has been very vocal about the R. Kelly trial saying that he didn't catch a break according to the New York Post.

Cosby's spokesperson, Andrew Wyatt said that Kelly's constitutional rights were "grossly abused." Wyatt has also criticized Kelly's attorneys, saying they did not "humanize" him, and feels that Kelly should have gotten more support from the court and the system.

Wyatt also said that he didn't feel it was right that a documentary could result in criminal charges against anybody.

Surviving R. Kelly

R.Kelly Mug Shot

The documentary that has had the world talking is called "Surviving R. Kelly" and was released on the Lifetime network in January 2019. Over six episodes that were one hour long each, many victims levied accusations against him.

Within two weeks of the show airing, Kelly's record label dropped him and concerts got canceled. A few weeks after that, R. Kelly was charged in Chicago with 10 counts of sexual abuse.

Meanwhile, the United States Department of Homeland Security carried an investigation that would result in federal charges in New York. Those charges would include Mann Act violations.

R. Kelly Faces Life

R. Kelly in court

The Mann Act is a law established in 1910 and also called the White-Slave Traffic Act that prohibits the transportation of any woman for prostitution or immoral purpose. R. Kelly faced Mann Act charges after agents saw him in a caravan between Manhattan and Oakland with an underage girl.

He is still facing federal indictments in Illinois and awaits sentencing on his conviction in Manhattan federal court. After a six-week long trial with over 50 witnesses, the 54-year-old singer was convicted of multiple counts of sexual abuse and racketeering.In Illinois, R. Kelly faces similar charges including the production of images for child sex abuse, and conspiracy to obstruct justice through witness tampering, bribes, and threats reports BBC News.

Kelly faces 10 years to life in federal prison, and will be sentenced in May 2022.What will happen to his record sales remains to be seen. Sportskeeda notes that R. Kelly's net worth at the peak of his life may have been $100 million, but by 2021 it has sunk to negative $2 million.


Father of Gabby Petito's Fiance Brian Laundrie Assists Police With Search

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Chris Laundrie with law enforcement

It was late August 2021 when authorities and family members of 22-year-old Gabby Petito believe she went missing, before her new fiancé, 23-year-old Brian Laundrie returned home from their cross-country trip to Florida on September 1. Shortly after Brian Laundrie's return home, he went missing. This week, the family of Brian Laundrie was asked to help in the investigation in the search for Brian Laundrie, a person of interest in the case of Gabby Petito.

Dog the Bounty Hunter has been following the case closely and told The U.S. Sun this week that if the Laundrie parents are found to be helping Brian, they could face criminal charges. He also said he would not be surprised if Brian flipped on his own parents to avoid jail himself.

The parents of Brian Laundrie have reportedly been asked to remain on standby by law enforcement. Experts believe that the parents of Brian Laundrie are key to finding him.

What Happened to Gabby Petito?

Gabby Petito

Gabby Petito and Brian Laundrie knew each other in high school. They moved in together shortly after they started dating in 2019. The couple spent the past year planning a four or five month-long road trip across the country, a trip they would become engaged on.

The trip started on June 17 from Blue Point, New York, where the pair had been with the Petito family for a graduation ceremony.

The couple was approximately six weeks into the trip when tragedy struck. At the end of August, the family of 22-year-old Gabby Petito stopped hearing from her. On September 1, Brian Laundrie had returned home to North Port, Florida by himself.On September 11, Gabby's family reported her as a missing person to the police, who took the case. One week later on September 19, the remains of Gabby Petito would be found buried in Grand Teton National Park in Wyoming.

The manner of death was ruled a homicide by the coroner, but the cause of death remains unknown.

September 1: Brian Laundrie Returns Home

The home of Brian Laundrie in North Port, Florida, with a memorial for Gabby Petito out front

On September 1, Brian Laundrie returned home from the trip alone to the home where he and Gabby lived with his parents in North Port, Florida. He is said to have been there until September 17, when he left the home.

Nobody has seen him since or reported seeing him since. His family told investigators that he had gone to the Carlton Reserve in Florida and did not return. The reserve remains a significant point for searching for Brian Laundrie.

September 22: Indictment and Federal Arrest Warrant

Denver FBI statement on the disappearance of Brian Laundrie

On September 22, the United States District Court of Wyoming filed for a federal arrest warrant for Brian Christopher Laundrie after a grand jury convened and returned an indictment for activities following the death of Gabrielle Petito. The public and anyone with knowledge of Brian Laundrie's whereabouts was urged to contact the police.

When found, Brian Laundrie faces the indictment of "knowingly and with intent to defraud" a Capital One debit card and PINs from two separate accounts. He is being accused of using Gabby Petito's banking after she went missing or lost contact with her family.

It has been reported that Gabby was in frequent communication with her friends and family while away, and reportedly would FaceTime with her mother three times weekly.

October 7: Laundrie Parents Assist in Search for Brian Laundrie

Chris Laundrie helps law enforcement search for his son

This week, Chris Laundrie, Brian Laundrie's father, was asked to visit the 24,564-acre reserve they pointed law enforcement to, and help law enforcement for the investigation. Attorney for the family Steven Bertolino noted that Chris was asked to show the police where Laundrie may have hiked.

In a separate report from The U.S. Sun, Steven Bertolino reportedly said, "We were just asked to be on standby as they were focusing in on certain areas."In that same report, a detective with Miami-Dade homicide Pat Diaz suggested it may have been belongings that the family was asked to attend to identify. A spokesperson for the North Port police Josh Taylor said that it was not their department that asked for the involvement of Chris Laundrie, and they wouldn't, in an FBI-led investigation.

The search for Brian Laundrie continues.

Scandinavian Countries Limit Use Of Moderna Vaccine Over Myocarditis Concerns

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Vials of Moderna's COVID-19 vaccine.

The coronavirus pandemic is not waning, even though vaccines are widely available in most of the western world.

Vaccine hesitancy is an issue in some countries, like the United States, but most European nations have high vaccination rates -- especially Scandinavian countries.

Last week, however, five Scandinavian countries decided to pause or limit the use of Moderna's COVID-19 vaccine after reports of side effects such as myocarditis, which is a medical term used to describe inflammation of the heart muscle.

Read more below.

Sweden, Denmark

As Al Jazeera reported, Sweden and Denmark announced on Wednesday they would pause the use of Moderna’s coronavirus vaccine for younger age groups.

Sweden’s chief epidemiologist Anders Tegnell -- whose approach to COVID-19 has been both criticized and praised -- said that the government would pause using Moderna for people born after 1991.

Tegnell said the Swedish government would "follow the situation closely and act quickly to ensure that vaccinations against COVID-19 are always as safe as possible and at the same time provide effective protection."

The Danish Health Authority said Moderna would no longer be offered to people under the age of 18.

Finland, Norway

Finland joined Sweden and Denmark on Thursday, as Reuters reported.

Mika Salminen, director of the Finnish health institute, said Moderna would no longer be offered to people born after 1991 because a groundbreaking new study "found that men under the age of 30 who received Moderna Spikevax had a slightly higher risk than others of developing myocarditis."

Norwegian health officials, meanwhile, said that they strongly recommended men under the age of 30 opt for Pfizer's COVID-19 vaccine instead of taking the Moderna jab.

Iceland

Iceland followed suit on Friday, according to Medical Xpress.

Iceland completely suspended the use of Moderna COVID-19 vaccines, as opposed to just limiting it.

A statement published on Iceland's Directorate of Health said that "as the supply of Pfizer vaccine is sufficient in the territory ... the chief epidemiologist has decided not to use the Moderna vaccine in Iceland."

Eighty-eight percent of Icelanders over the age of 12 are already fully vaccinated, which means that Iceland has one of the highest vaccination rates in the world.

Moderna Downplays Concerns

Moderna coronavirus vaccine.

As Reuters noted, a Moderna spokesperson downplayed concerns over possible vaccine side effects, stating that most people who develop heart inflammation recover soon.

"These are typically mild cases and individuals tend to recover within a short time following standard treatment and rest. The risk of myocarditis is substantially increased for those who contract COVID-19, and vaccination is the best way to protect against this," the spokesperson said.

Other European countries have not yet suspended or limited the use of Moderna's COVID-19 vaccine, and it remains to be seen if they will change course in the near future.

How Much Money Do You Need To Retire? Here's What Experts Say

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Figures of seniors on coins, stock photo

The coronavirus pandemic has a devastating impact on the economy, and it has also prompted millions of Americans to think about retirement.

However, research shows that 36 percent of Americans believe they will never have enough money to be able to retire. According to the Natixis Global Retirement Index, around 41 percent believe it would "take a miracle" for them to be financially secure in retirement.

So, how much money does one really need to retire? Here is what financial experts have to say.

Do Old Rules Still Apply?

Studies suggest that most Americans would like to retire at age 62, as reported by CNBC.

For years, financial experts have claimed that one should save 10 times their income by retirement age, but it appears as though these old rules no longer apply.

According to Mason Investment Advisory Services COO Christopher Schreiner, "there's not necessarily a one-size-fits all solution" when it comes to retirement.

"Spending will always be the most important variable. The perfect investment solution can’t overcome someone spending beyond their means," Schreiner said.

Four Percent Rule

The four percent rule states that "retirees can withdraw 4 percent of their total portfolio every year to live on, while maintaining an account balance large enough to last for 30 years."

But does this rule still apply? Probably not, according to Matthew Young, president and CEO of Richard C. Young & Co.

"A 35-year time horizon with interest rates at historic lows could make 4 percent more challenging. I tell clients you might want to consider 3 percent, just in case."

"We just don’t know what type of environment we are going to have in the next 15 years in terms of returns," Young added.

Asset Allocation

President of Check Capital Management Steven Check explained that views on asset allocation have also evolved in recent years, recommending an 80 percent allocation to stocks for people retiring at age 65.

"This is higher than what you’d normally see recommended, but it would have worked fine historically, and I think it is even more necessary with interest rates so low," Check said.

"Projected returns aren’t going to be as good as they were because of stock valuations and bond yields. The models that are based on past returns can’t be projected forward," he noted.

Views On Retirement

Stock photo of seniors sitting on a bench

As Forbes reported, a poll released earlier this year found that many realize they won't be able to enjoy their golden years.

Almost half of those aged 60 to 75 said they plan to work part-time once they retire from full-time work, while 18 percent said they think they will work past the age of 70, and another 12 percent said they do not ever plan to stop working full time.

In the same poll, around 30 percent of seniors said that the COVID-19 pandemic had a "negative impact" on their retirement plans.

Southwest Airlines Disruption Continues

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Southwest Airlines plane

Over the weekend, Southwest Airlines canceled more than 2,000 flights, disappointing thousands of loyal customers across the United States.

The company blames the cancellations on weather and air traffic issues, but it appears as though the disruption will continue.

On Monday, Southwest cancelled another 337 flights, forcing many to drive on a federal holiday to visit their friends and relatives.

Southwest told CNN on Sunday evening that getting operations back to normal was "more difficult and prolonged" due to the coronavirus pandemic.

Read more below.

Southwest, FAA

Southwest also told CNN that it "continued diligent work throughout the weekend to reset our operation with a focus on getting aircraft and crews repositioned to take care of our customers."

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), meanwhile, said in a statement that "flight delays and cancellations occurred for a few hours Friday afternoon due to widespread severe weather, military training and limited staffing in one area of the Jacksonville Air Route Traffic Control Center."

But what about other airlines? Are other companies experiencing these issues?

Other Airlines

Other airlines have also been impacted, but not nearly as much as Southwest.

For example, American Airlines on Sunday canceled just two percent of its flights. Spirit Airlines also canceled two percent of its flights.

Some stranded passengers told CNN that they are disappointed with the company, and that the cancellations have forced them to spend additional money on rental cars and drive as much as 900 miles.

"I've flown with Southwest over 200 times and I've always been very happy with their customer service. I hope they sort this out," Marye Cory told the outlet.

What Is Causing The Delays?

Woman stranded at an airport stock photo

It is being speculated that Southwest's decision to mandate vaccines for employees is what's causing the delays -- the company said last week that its workforce must be vaccinated by December 8.

Southwest Airlines Pilots Association, a union that represents around 10,000 pilots, said that the cancellations were due to the "management's poor planning."

"SWAPA is aware of operational difficulties affecting Southwest Airlines today due to a number of issues, but we can say with confidence that our pilots are not participating in any official or unofficial job actions."

Airline Industry

COVID-19 has had a devastating impact on the airline industry as a whole.

According to McKinsey & Company, airline traffic won’t return to 2019 levels before 2024.

The consulting firm also claims the pandemic will have a long-term impact on aviation, since companies will be forced to adhere to strict health and safety standards.

"The impact of the COVID-19 pandemic is far from over. There is some relief to be found in various parts of the world now that vaccinations have begun, but the road to recovery for air traffic will take several years, " McKinsey & Company warns.

Experts Explain How To Invest In Cryptocurrency

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Cryptocurrency coins stock photo

The term cryptocurrency is used to describe any type of decentralized digital money designed to be used over the internet. As digital assets, cryptocurrencies are not controlled by governments or other central bodies, which makes them appealing to many investors.

Invented in 2008, Bitcoin is by far the best known cryptocurrency, but many other similar currencies have been created since its release.

So how would one go about investing in cryptocurrency? More importantly, is crypto a good and safe investment?

Here's what experts have to say.

Investing In Crypto

Even for some experienced investors, cryptocurrency is unfamiliar territory, so it's no wonder many are still hesitant to take the plunge and invest.

According to president of Bone Fide Wealth Douglas Boneparth, there are ways to invest in crypto without actually buying it. In other words, cautions investors can put money in a company that owns crypto, as opposed to purchasing crypto directly.

"When you’re thinking about investing in a company because they have exposure to crypto, it really runs the gamut from how direct or indirect you are in terms of that exposure. It just depends on how much of their balance sheet is in crypto," Boneparth explained to The Detroit News.

Minimizing Risk

Bitcoin on a $100 bill

Another way to minimize risk is to invest in companies that have a stake in the cryptocurrency industry itself -- like Coinbase, which is publicly traded platform where investors can buy and sell cryptocurrency, according to Boneparth.

"Just like you have with gold, you can either invest in the commodity itself or the infrastructure around it, the miners, the materials needed for mining, same with energy and oil. And there are public companies that are specifically operating in the blockchain space, but there’s not many of them."

What About ETFs?

Per Investopedia, an exchange traded fund (ETF) is "a type of security that tracks an index, sector, commodity, or other asset, but which can be purchased or sold on a stock exchange the same way a regular stock can."

No ETFs have yet been approved by the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), but that is more than likely to change in the future, according to Tristan Yver, the head of strategy at FTX.US.

"I don’t have an estimate of when this will occur, but I do think it’s something that will happen, and I think it’s something that will allow people who aren’t comfortable with investing directly in digital assets to get exposure to bitcoin and other cryptocurrencies," Yver explained.

Bitcoin-Backed Futures ETF

SEC Chairman Gary Gensler is in favor of creating a bitcoin-backed futures ETF and rumors that the SEC is looking to approve the first bitcoin futures exchange-traded funds have done wonders for Bitcoin, according to MarketWatch.

Last week, Bitcoin rose 12.7 percent from the previous week as of Friday. By Wednesday, it recorded a staggering seven-day gain of 33.5 percent.

"Now, after consolidating for a long time in the $40K range, Bitcoin seems much better prepared for another big move upward. If that happens, Bitcoin will likely go on to test its ATH (all-time high) and there’s a high probability it will break it," said Anto Paroian, chief operating officer at crypto hedge fund ARK36.

Gabby Petito Case: What If Brian Laundrie Is Never Found?

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Gabby Petito takes a selfie with Brian Laundrie in the background.

Several law enforcement agencies, including the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), body hunters, and volunteers have been searching for Brian Laundrie for more than three weeks now, but there is absolutely no trace of him anywhere.

Laundrie went on a cross-country trip with his girlfriend Gabby Petito in July, but she never returned home. Laundrie vanished two days after Petito was reported missing, while her body was found last month in Wyoming's Grand Trenton National Park.

But what would happen if Laundrie is never found?

Will Search End Soon?

As The Independent reported, the authorities believe there is a 50-50 chance Laundrie is dead.

Though an avid outdoorsman, Laundrie has probably died by now, if he is indeed hiding out somewhere in nature, at least that's what the North Port police says.

The FBI has said that it cannot indefinitely task agents with searching for Laundrie, indicating that the search might end at some point in the near future.

What would this mean for the case? Would Laundrie still be charged with Petito's homicide?

Charges Against Laundrie

Laundrie has been charged with credit card fraud -- he reportedly used Petito's credit card after leaving her in Wyoming and allegedly after her death. A warrant for his arrest has been issued on the basis of this charge, but he is not accused of harming Petito in any way.

Some believe Laundrie escaped with the help of his parents, Chris and Roberta, but they have not faced charges either. In fact, even if they helped Laundrie escape, they cannot be prosecuted because they presumably helped him escape days before he was officially declared a wanted criminal.

Laundrie Trial

What if Laundrie is not found, would he stand trial?

According to The Independent, "Rule 43 of the Federal Rules of Criminal Procedure dictate that an individual who flees during the course of a trial can be tried and convicted in absentia."

However, Laundrie has not been arrested and he is not facing a court date, which means that he cannot be tried.

In fact, the 1993 Supreme Court ruling in Crosby v United States explicitly "prohibits the trial in absentia of a defendant who is not present at the beginning of trial."

Where Is Brian Laundrie?

Brian Laundrie on police bodycam footage.

If Laundrie is still alive, where is he?

As The Washington Examiner reported, a viral internet theory claims that Laundrie never left his North Port home.

Some TikTok users believe Laundrie is actually hiding in an underground bunker beneath his parents’ flower bed. The theory is based on drone footage, which appears to show a hand sticking out from the soil.

Some claim that the video shows "Roberta Laundrie grab something or give something to a hand that pops up from the dirt, leading them to suspect their fugitive son is hiding in a bunker beneath the backyard."

Mystery Solved: Here's What Happened To 43 Students Who Vanished In Mexico

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Mexico 43 protests

In September 2014, 43 male students from the Ayotzinapa Rural Teachers' College in Mexico seemingly vanished into thin air, after traveling to Mexico City to mark the 46th anniversary of the Tlatelolco student massacre.

For years now, the public has been trying to figure out what really happened, as the Mexican government claimed that the students' bodies -- which were never found -- were burned in a trash dump.

Newly uncovered evidence shows that the truth is far more disturbing that anyone anticipated.

Read more below.

New Evidence

According to The Daily Beast, new evidence shows that the police conspired with a drug cartel to kill the students.

Text messages show that deputy police chief and crime boss Gildardo López Astudillo coordinated to execute the students, because they took over buses that were part of a drug running operation to smuggle heroin into the United States.

By accidentally stealing the drugs, the evidence shows, the 43 students signed their own death warrants.

The students' families are now demanding a new search for the bodies and action against those involved in the massacre.

Vast Conspiracy

According to the Drug Enforcement Administration's former chief of international operations Mike Vigil, this shows that the Mexican government conspired with a drug cartel to kill the students.

"The new evidence that has come to light regarding the Ayotzinapa case cracks it wide open and provides irrefutable proof of who was involved in the student massacre," Vigil said.

"The story of the massacre of the students in Ayotzinapa is like a Hollywood movie, but the events are real. They involve collusion between the police, army, organized crime, and a massive coverup by the Mexican government."

Military Role

The text messages between the deputy police chief and López were intercepted by the Mexican military, but the military took seven years to release them. Many believe this shows that the military played a key role in the murders.

"The army hides information because it’s in their best interest to do so. The whole world knows that the army controls the drug trade [in that part of Mexico.]," a high-ranking Mexican police commander told The Daily Beast.

"The army destroys anyone or anything that gets in their way. They work with organized crime to protect their own objectives," the commander added.

US Sells Weapons To Mexican Military

Mexican soldier salutes the flag.

The Intercept reported last week that the United States, under the leadership of President Joe Biden, is "pressing forward with the sale of millions of dollars in weapons" to the Mexican military.

Some Democratic lawmakers have put pressure on Biden to halt the sale, pointing to the Mexican military's abhorrent human rights record.

"We have a number of substantive concerns with these transfers based on recent reporting and credible documentation of abuses. We are currently engaged with the State Department on such concerns," Democratic aide on the House Foreign Affairs Committee explained.


Gabby Petito Cause Of Death Revealed

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Gabby Petito on police bodycam footage.

Gabby Petito and her boyfriend Brian Laundrie went on a cross-country trip this summer.

Unlike her boyfriend, Petito never returned home. Her body was found near Wyoming's Grand Trenton National Park last month.

Laundrie -- declared a person of interest in the mysterious case -- disappeared a couple of days after Petito was reported missing. The authorities have not been able to locate him.

How did Petito die and when? Teton County Coroner Dr. Brent Blue answered that question on Tuesday.

Read more below.

Coroner Update

As reported by Fox News, Teton County Coroner Dr. Brent Blue revealed at a press conference that Petito died of strangulation.

Blue noted that Petito was not pregnant at the time of her death as many have speculated, but declined to provide further details about his findings, citing Wyoming laws.

"We hereby find the cause and manner of death to be, the cause, death by strangulation, and manner is homicide. By Wyoming state statute, no other information will be released about the autopsy."

Autopsy

Blue explained that the autopsy was conducted at his facility, and said that the delay was due to his thoroughness.

"We were very exacting our examination and the detail by which that examination was done. We were waiting for various specialists to come in and help us with this investigation," the coroner said.

"We were waiting on toxicology to be returned, and it was just a matter of making sure we had everything right," he added, without releasing any findings from the toxicology report.

Strangulation

Miami-Dade homicide detective Pat Diaz told Fox News that Blue likely concluded that Petito died of strangulation due to a broken hyoid.

Broken hyoids can only be seen through an X-ray, which suggests that Blue's facility was equipped with X-ray machines and explains the delay.

Diaz also noted that strangulation could be difficult to prosecute in court.

Petito's family is already making arrangements for her remains to return to New York.

"Bringing her home is the family's top priority," family lawyer Richard Stafford said.

Where Is Brian Laundrie?

Brian Laundrie on police bodycam footage.

As Deseret News reported, North Port police are still searching for Laundrie at the 25,000-acre Carlton Reserve.

"We’ll continue to search. You know, we could be searching that Carlton Reserve and nearby lands for a long, long time," officer Josh Taylor said.

But there is still no trace of Laundrie and time is running out.

Laundrie family’s lawyer Steven Bertolino, meanwhile, said that Brian's parents have nothing to hide and are helping the authorities locate their son.

"The preserve has been closed to the public and the Laundries as well but the parents have been cooperating since the search began," he said.

Gabby Petito's Mom Has A Message For Brian Laundrie's Family

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Gabby Petito's mom Nicole Schmid on Dr. Phil's show.

Twenty-two-year-old Gabby Petito and her boyfriend Brian Laundrie went on a cross-country trip in July, but Petito never returned home.

Her body was found near Wyoming's Grand Trenton National Park last month. According to Teton County Coroner Dr. Brent Blue, she died of strangulation.

Laundrie, who has been declared a person of interest in the mysterious case, disappeared after Petito was reported missing

As the search for Laundrie continues, here is the latest update on the mysterious case -- it involves a member of the Petito family.

Petito's Mom

After Blue revealed his findings yesterday, Laundrie family's attorney Steve Bertolino released a statement describing Petito's death as a "tragedy," per NBC New York.

"While Brian Laundrie is currently charged with the unauthorized use of a debit card belonging to Gabby, Brian is only considered a person of interest in relation to Gabby Petito’s demise. At this time Brian is still missing and when he is located we will address the pending fraud charge against him," Bertolino said.

Asked to comment on the statement, Petito's mother Nicole Schmidt said the following.

"His words are garbage."

Federal Arrest Warrant

Brian Laundrie on police bodycam footage.

Since Laundrie is charged with credit card fraud, law enforcement could hold him for a period of time, if he is found.

It remains unclear if the FBI will seek to broaden the charges based on Blue's findings, which clearly show that someone murdered Petito with their bare hands.

The authorities believe there is a 50-50 chance Laundrie is dead, and have indicated that the search for him might be called off soon.

Volunteers and bounty hunters are also searching for Laundrie, but they've found no traces of him so far.

Laundrie's Parents

Brian's parents Christopher and Roberta Laundrie have refused to speak with members of the press, releasing statements through their lawyers.

Some believe they helped their son escape, though there is no concrete evidence of that as of yet.

However, the Laundries have changed their timeline regarding their son's disappearance a number of times, raising suspicions from the public, as NBC New York noted.

Speaking on behalf of Christopher and Linda, Bertolino said that any speculation they may have helped Brian escape amid an ongoing investigation is "just wrong."

Petito's Parents

Gabby Petito’s parents recently told Dr. Phil that Laundrie’s parents never responded to their calls or texts about their daughter, as reported by Deseret News.

"A normal parent, when you text someone that they’re going to call the cops because you can’t find your child, they would reply. No response, no nothing," said Gabby’s father, Joseph Petito.

Mom Nicole said she believes Laundrie's parents are hiding something.

"Somebody needs to start talking. I do believe (his parents) know a lot more information than they’re putting out there," she said.

Are Southwest Airlines Pilots Protesting Vaccine Mandates?

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Southwest Airlines plane

Southwest Airlines over the weekend canceled more than 2,000 flights, leaving thousands of customers across the United States stranded.

The company said that the cancellations were a result of weather and air traffic issues, but many thought that was just an excuse when Southwest cancelled another 337 flights on Monday.

So what is really happening? Why did Southwest cancel so many flights? Some speculate that pilots are unhappy with the company's decision to mandate coronavirus vaccines and are therefore striking.

Read more below.

Anti-Vaxx Strike

As TMZ reported, Southwest's pilot union filed on Friday a formal complaint against the COVID-19 vaccine mandate.

But nonetheless the union said in a statement that the pilots are not to blame for the cancellations.

"[W]e can say with confidence that our Pilots are not participating in any official or unofficial job actions... Our Pilots will continue to overcome SWA management’s poor planning, as well as any external operational challenges, and remain the most productive Pilots in the world."

So, what's really going on?

Republicans Praise Strike

Republican lawmakers and conservative media figures were quick to praise the pilots for allegedly going on strike, according to Business Insider.

"Joe Biden's illegal vaccine mandate at work. Suddenly, we're short on pilots & air traffic controllers," Texas Sen. Ted Cruz tweeted.

"The fact that thousands of Southwest employees walked off the job protesting the COVID vaccine mandate forcing the airline to cancel more than 1000 flights is not getting enough attention. Media will make sure you don't see it but keep watching, it won't be the last protest!," said former President Donald Trump's son, Trump Jr.

Trump Weighs In

Even Trump commented on the issue, bizarrely suggesting in an interview that Southwest Airlines pilots are not just protesting Biden's vaccine mandate, but also the results of the 2020 presidential election.

"I think it has a lot to do with a lot of things. I think it has something to do with the election that was rigged. I think these are big fans of your favorite president, I think that this has something to do with that," he said.

Southwest CEO Gary Kelly, meanwhile, said that COVID-19 vaccine mandates had "zero" relation to the flight cancellations.

Kelly On Vaccine Mandate

Coronavirus vaccine mandate

Speaking with CNBC on Tuesday, Kelly said that he has "never been in favor" of vaccine mandates.

Kelly stated that President Joe Biden essentially forced his hand.

"But the executive order from President Biden mandates that all federal employees and then all federal contractors, which covers all the major airlines, have to have a [vaccine] mandate ... in place by Dec. 8, so we’re working through that," he explained.

"We have some very strong views on that topic, but that’s not what was at issue with Southwest over the weekend," he added.

Texas Gov. Greg Abbott Bans All Coronavirus Vaccine Mandates

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Texas Gov. Greg Abbott looks on.

President Joe Biden in September directed the Labor Department to require all businesses with 100 or more employees to ensure their workers are vaccinated against the novel coronavirus and mandated vaccines for federal employees.

Red states have tried to push back against this initiative, but Texas refused to do so for a long time, with Gov. Greg Abbott explicitly saying that the government has no right to forbid companies from imposing vaccine mandates.

Abbott has changed his mind, issuing this week an executive order banning all COVID-19 vaccine mandates in his state.

Abbott Issues Executive Order

As per The Texas Tribune, Abbott's executive order bans any entity in Texas from requiring vaccinations.

"The COVID-19 vaccine is safe, effective, & our best defense against the virus, but should always remain voluntary & never forced," the governor said in a tweet.

Abbott also urged the Texas Legislature to pass a law banning vaccine mandates, vowing to rescind the executive order once that happened

This was a significant reversal for Abbott, who has described the vaccines as safe and effective on many occasions, and urged his constituents to get their shots.

Why Did Abbott Change His Mind?

In his order, Abbott accused the Biden administration of "bullying many private entities into imposing COVID-19 vaccine mandates, causing workforce disruptions that threaten Texas's continued recovery from the COVID-19 disaster."

So why did the governor changes his mind? Due to pressure from more radical elements of the Republican Party, it seems.

One of his primary challengers, Don Huffines, made sure to celebrate the sudden reversal.

"I am very pleased to see that our campaign has forced Greg Abbott to reverse his position on this important issue," Huffines said in a statement.

Texas Vaccine Mandates

Around 52 percent of Texas are fully vaccinated against COVID-19. Abbott himself got the vaccine on TV, while urging his constituents to do the same.

Still, Texas Republicans do not agree with the governor and seem to oppose coronavirus vaccine mandates.

But Texas has long had a number of vaccine mandates. Public schools in the state require K-12 students to get vaccinated against measles, polio, mumps, rubella, hepatitis B, chickenpox, hepatitis A, meningitis, and several other diseases.

College students, meanwhile, are required to get vaccinated against meningitis, while health care workers are required to get several additional vaccines.

Polls

Coronavirus vaccination record card.

Though Texans may not support Biden's vaccine mandates, most Americans do.

Research from Gallup shows that 60 percent of Americans back requiring all federal government employees to be vaccinated against COVID-19, while 58 percent support requiring large companies to do the same.

The vast majority of Democrats, around 50 percent of independent voters, and some Republicans support Biden's measures, according to Gallup.

Research also shows that majorities of both Democrats and independents support vaccine mandates for K-12 teachers, while Republicans do not.

What Is An NFT?

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Non-fungible tokens stock photo

Traditional works of art, such as paintings, are extremely valuable for many reasons, but mostly because every painting is unique and one of a kind.

That is not the case when it comes to digital files, however, since they can easily be duplicated and shared, despite copyright laws and such. This is where NFTs, or non-fungible tokens, come in.

So what are NFT's and what do they have to do with cryptocurrency?

NFTs are essentially unique tokens that serve as proof of ownership of an asset. NFTs use blockchain technology and cannot be replicated, which is why some creators have embraced them.

Read more below.

NFTs, Explained

Most NFTs are part of the Ethereum blockchain -- Ethereum is a cryptocurrency that supports NFTs, according to The Economist.

"To mint an NFT, the creator establishes a unique record of the artwork, generally on a website. Then the creator places the record on a blockchain," the paper explained, noting that "possession of a private encryption key associated with the transaction proves ownership."

"This gives an artist or collector something to sell. An NFT may link to a version of the work, but rarely includes the rights to reproduce or distribute it. That differentiates it from a commercial licensing arrangement, too."

NFT: Pros And Cons

Some experts believe that NFTs are a great solution for both creators and collectors, because they solve what has long been a major issue when it comes to digital art: ownership.

Conversely, critics claim that NFTs are problematic because they rely on cryptocurrency, which is very volatile compared to other currencies and investment tools.

The high electricity usage of blockchains is another major issue, critics say, especially today with the world struggling to fight global warming, transition to green energy and halt climate change.

NFTs In Entertainment

According to The Hollywood Reporter, ViacomCBS announced this week that it would be partnering with NFT company Recur to "develop and sell digital collectibles based on its vast library of films and TV shows."

ViacomCBS and Recur will launch a platform for users to buy, collect, and trade NFTs in early 2022, the company said.

ViacomCBS consumer products president Pam Kaufman said in a statement that "voracious collectors and first-time NFT buyers alike will find unique opportunities to own a piece of their favorite franchises" thanks to this partnership.

Are NFTs A Good Investment?

NFT stock photo

So, are NFTs a good investment?

As reported by Forbes, experts believe investors should be cautious because some NFTs appear to be scams.

"This does not mean that almost all NFT’s are scam. It’s just good to remember that, when so much hype delivers this amount of money, there are many incentives to convince innocent people to risk too much money, " said Scott Morgan, founder of Crypto Integrity Tao.

Pierre Bourque of Blockchain Radio echoed Morgan, saying that investors should explore their options and do research before investing in NFTs.

Katie Couric Admits She Edited Out RBG Slamming Anthem Kneelers

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Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg looks on.

Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg -- who passed away last year -- was famed for championing gender equality and women's rights.

Ginsburg's refusal to step down from the Supreme Court in her late eighties allowed former President Donald Trump to appoint conservative Justice Amy Coney Barrett, but even that had no impact on her status as a liberal icon.

RBG's views on racial justice, however, were not in lockstep with the current liberal Democratic worldview. In fact, according to journalist Katie Couric, the late justice despised athletes who kneeled during the national anthem.

Couric Interviewed RBG

When Couric interviewed Ginsburg in 2016, she asked for a comment on former NFL player Colin Kaepernick's actions -- Kaepernick was the first athlete to kneel during the anthem in protest of racial injustice, police brutality, and systematic oppression.

Ginsburg's answer was apparently so shocking to Couric that she actually refused to air it. Instead, she deceptively edited the video of the interview in order to "protect" the late Supreme Court Justice's reputation.

Couric writes about this episode in her forthcoming memoir Going There, according to The Daily Mail.

Read more below.

What RBG Said

Couric writes in her memoir that Ginsburg said refusing to stand for the anthem was "dumb and disrespectful."

She added that those who kneel during the anthem are showing "contempt for a government that has made it possible for their parents and grandparents to live a decent life."

"Which they probably could not have lived in the places they came from... as they became older they realize that this was youthful folly," Ginsburg continued.

"And that's why education is important," the late Supreme Court justice said.

'Dumb And Disrespectful'

Ginsburg explained to Couric that athletes have a right to protest during the anthem, but slammed their actions as "dumb and disrespectful."

"Would I arrest them for doing it? No. I think it's dumb and disrespectful. I would have the same answer if you asked me about flag burning."

"If they want to be arrogant, there's no law that prevents them from that. What I would do is strongly take issue with the point of view that they are expressing when they do that," she said.

Couric's Reaction

Journalist Katie Couric attends an event.

But Couric writes in her book that she was shocked by Ginsburg's remarks and that she thought the justice, who was 83 at the time of the interview, was "elderly and probably didn't fully understand the question."

According to the journalist, RBG's comments were "unworthy of a crusader for equality" so they were edited out.

As Fox News noted, this was not the first time for Couric to deceptively edit video footage.

In 2016, she edited her interview with pro-gun activists to make it seem they had no idea how to answer one of her questions.

Social Security Announces Biggest Benefits Boost In 40 Years

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Social Security check stock photo

Millions of retired Americans rely on Social Security to pay their bills, so any increase in benefits would certainly be welcomed by virtually every senior in the United States.

The coronavirus pandemic caused an economic crisis, forcing the government to intervene and spend more money than ever.

Though this has helped millions, the reopening of the economy coupled with supply chain shortages has boosted inflation and caused prices to rise.

In response to these developments, benefits from Social Security will be increased.

Read more below.

What's The Increase?

As reported by The New York Times, Social Security benefits will increase by 5.9 percent in 2022.

The average benefit is projected to climb to $1,657 a month, up $92 from this year, which is rather significant according to experts.

The maximum amount of earnings subject to the Social Security tax (taxable maximum) will also increase, from $142,800 to $147,000.

This will be the biggest boost of Social Security benefits since 1982, when the so-called cost of living adjustment was 7.4 percent.

Social Security Is Vital

For most seniors, Social Security represents a significant portion of income.

Data shows that for a large number of recipients, 37 percent of men and 42 percent of women, the monthly Social Security check "represents a significant portion of their annual income."

Furthermore, for 12 percent of men and 15 percent of women Social Security represents 90 percent of their income.

Nearly nine out 10 Americans aged 65 and older receive Social Security benefits, according to the administration's data, which also shows how vital this popular program is.

Is The Increase Enough?

Social Security check and dollar bills are seen in a stock photo

According to Jo Ann Jenkins, chief executive officer of the American Association of Retired Persons (AARP), the increase was absolutely necessary.

"The guaranteed benefits provided by Social Security and the COLA increase are more crucial than ever as millions of Americans continue to face the health and economic impacts of the pandemic," Jenkins said.

President of Social Security Works Nancy Altman, meanwhile, said that the increase should be higher.

"You’re glad that you get a 5.9 percent increase, but it doesn’t feel like you’re getting 5.9 percent when all of your other costs are going up much higher."

Does Congress Need To Act?

According to the Center for Retirement Research at Boston College, Congress needs to act and bolster Social Security's finances.

"We’re already late to the game. Congress needs to make an adjustment so people who rely on this program are not fearful their benefits are going to be cut," explained Alicia H. Munnell, the director of the center.

According to The Washington Post, the Social Security Board of Trustees said in its annual report that Social Security will be insolvent by 2033, which suggests that lawmakers need to intervene as soon as possible.






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