Search
Menu
Home Blog Page 375

Tension rises with a single blow

US-NEA
-
0
Tension rises with a single blow

play

Roughly a week after an ICE agent shot and killed Renee Nicole Good during a militarized immigration crackdown ordered by President Donald Trump, tensions have escalated in Minneapolis with another shooting involving federal agents.

The incident occurred Wednesday night during a dispute in front of a residence in a north Minneapolis neighborhood, according to Minneapolis Police Chief Brian O’Hara. The man, who the Department of Homeland Security said was a Venezuelan national residing in the United States without authorization, was shot in the leg.

The agency described the incident as an “ambush” and said the man fled in his car during a “targeted traffic stop,” crashing into a parked vehicle and then driving off on foot. After one of the federal agents attempted to arrest the man, two others from a nearby apartment arrived and all three began attacking the officer, DHS said.

“The officer fired defensive fire in fear for his life and safety as he was ambushed by three individuals,” the Department of Homeland Security said in a statement. The police officer and the man were hospitalized, and the two people involved in the assault were taken into custody.

The shooting came after days of chaotic clashes in Minneapolis, where heavily armed federal agents stopped people on the street. Demonstrations against the Trump administration and federal immigration enforcement have erupted across the United States since Good, a 37-year-old mother of three, was shot and killed.

Renee Good’s family on Wednesday revealed new details about what she was doing in the hours leading up to the Jan. 7 shooting that sparked protests across the United States.

In a statement calling Good a “beautiful light in our family,” the woman’s four siblings, parents and attorney said the shooting was the result of a chance encounter after dropping her 6-year-old child off at school. After dropping off their children, Good and his wife, Becca Good, were driving with their dog when they encountered federal agents processing immigration in their neighborhood, according to family members and their attorney. Lawyers for the family said the couple stopped to “observe and assist their neighbors.”

“We would like to thank everyone who has supported Renee and our family. The constant care we have received during this time is exactly what Renee has given everyone,” the family said in a letter shared with USA TODAY. “Nae was a beautiful light in our family and brought joy to everyone she met. She had a relentless sense of hope and optimism that was contagious. We already miss her more than words can express.”

-Michael Loria

Nearly six years after former police officer Derek Chauvin killed George Floyd in Minneapolis, the city has been left in the throes of grief and anger. And activism.

“We are completely traumatized. People are deeply traumatized,” said former Minneapolis City Council President Andrea Jenkins. “It’s just six blocks from where George Floyd was killed, and it’s literally like the same people. Same community, same people, the whole city.”

Renee Good, a white mother, was shot and killed by an Immigration and Customs Enforcement officer in her car on January 7th. It happened not far from where Floyd, a black man, was killed.

In the days after George Floyd’s murder, things changed. There have been no violent and destructive protests. However, the city center is destroyed again.

“It’s been relentless and people are exhausted,” Jenkins said. read more.

-Suzette Hackney

Federal agents have detained several Native Americans as the Trump administration ramps up immigration enforcement in Minnesota.

The detention of at least five men in and around Minneapolis has sparked an outcry among Native American groups who say they are being racially characterized as illegal immigrants by federal immigration officials. Minneapolis is one of the largest urban centers for Native Americans. The group said the cases involved four men experiencing homelessness and one man accused by ICE of “violently” assaulting a police officer.

“It’s very unpleasant and ironic that the first people who lived on this land would be asked questions about their citizenship,” said Jacqueline de Leon, senior staff attorney at the nonprofit Native American Rights Fund and a member of Isleta Pueblo. “Yet, that’s exactly what we’re seeing.”

Click here for details.

-Eduardo Cuevas

Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey renewed his call for U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement to leave the city after a federal agent shot a man in the leg. He noted that the incident was the second shooting in Minneapolis in a week, sparking public outrage and following days of unrest in the city.

“This is not sustainable. This is an impossible situation our city is in right now,” Frey said at a news conference Wednesday night. “And at the same time, we’re trying to find ways to move forward to keep people safe, protect our neighbors, and maintain order.”

The mayor said residents are asking for a “very limited number” of local police officers to “fight ICE agents on the streets and stand by our neighbors.”

Frey noted that the city has only about 600 police officers, compared to about 3,000 federal immigration agents in the region. “We don’t have a situation in America right now where two government agencies are literally fighting each other,” Frey said.

Frey said the presence of federal immigration agents throughout the city and state is “causing chaos.” The mayor reiterated his criticism of immigration enforcement, but also condemned hostile protests in the city and urged people to go home.

“I’ve seen ICE conduct, and it’s disgusting and intolerable. It wouldn’t be acceptable in your city, it wouldn’t be acceptable there,” he said at a news conference Wednesday.

Hundreds of protesters gathered near the scene of the shooting Wednesday night and clashed with federal agents who fired gas and rubber bullets, local media reported. The mayor praised the peaceful demonstrators but called on residents to remain calm and discourage violent demonstrations.

“We can’t counter Donald Trump’s chaos with our own chaos,” Frey added. “And I’ve seen thousands of people protesting peacefully in the streets. I applaud those who have protested peacefully. You’re not helping the people who are taking the bait. And you’re not helping the illegal immigrants in our city.”

Contributed by: Reuters

New details revealed in Ohio couple’s murder case: ‘She was scared’

US-NEA
-
0
New details revealed in Ohio couple’s murder case: ‘She was scared’

Monique Tepe and Mackey divorced nearly a decade ago, but USA TODAY has learned that they were scheduled to appear in court in Ohio over the matter three months before the killing.

play

New details have emerged about the Chicago surgeon accused of killing his ex-wife and her new husband in Ohio, and investigators say they believe they have recovered the murder weapon.

Columbus Police Chief Elaine Bryant said at a press conference Wednesday, Jan. 14, that one of the guns found in Michael David McKee’s Chicago apartment was previously matched to the scene of the shooting deaths of Spencer and Monique Tepe.

“This was a targeted attack,” Bryant said.

The Tepeses were found shot to death in their home on December 30th. Their children, ages 1 and 4, were crying inside the house but were physically unharmed, as was the couple’s dog. McKee, Monique Tepe’s ex-husband, was arrested in the Chicago area 11 days after the murder and charged with premeditated murder in the case.

His lawyer said he would plead not guilty and remain silent if extradited to Ohio.

Meanwhile, a member of Tepe’s family told NBC News on January 14 that McKee had been emotionally abusive to Monique Tepe.

Her brother-in-law, Rob Misley, said: “At the time of their marriage, she was terrified because he had threatened her life many times.” “She was not shy about telling people about her traumatic experiences with her ex-boyfriend and how emotionally abusive he was to her, which still affects her to this day.”

He told Good Morning America that Monique Tepe was “a very strong person” who was “willing to do anything to get out of there.”

Monique Tepe and Mackey divorced nearly a decade ago, but USA TODAY has learned that they were scheduled to appear in court in Ohio in connection with the matter in September, three months before the murder.

Here are the latest incidents.

Mayor says murder is ‘unspeakable crime’

Beyond revelations about the murder weapon, police released few new details at a Jan. 14 news conference, saying they did not want to risk jeopardizing charges against McKee, a 39-year-old vascular surgeon who lived about seven hours away from Tepe’s home in Columbus, Ohio.

Chief Bryant said Columbus police have no record of complaints of violence or harassment related to Tepe’s home. Columbus Mayor Andrew Ginther called the incident an “unspeakable crime” and thanked community members who provided video and information that led to arrests in the case.

“The tips submitted in this case were significant,” Ginther said. “This was a targeted domestic violence attack that left two people dead and irrevocably changed the lives of their children, family, colleagues and friends. Our hearts are with Spencer and Monique and their loved ones, especially the children affected by this unimaginable loss.”

What do divorce records show?

On paper, Monique Tepe and Michael McKee’s marriage of less than two years ended on mediocre terms, according to divorce records obtained by USA TODAY on Jan. 14.

According to the separation agreement filed on April 28, 2017, “Due to differences of opinion, the parties are currently living separately.”

After graduating from Ohio State University in 2014, McKee kept the couple’s home in Roanoke, Virginia, where he worked as a medical resident. Records show the house, valued at about $230,000 at the time, remained in McKee’s name only, including the mortgage.

No one was ordered to pay spousal support, and Ms. McKee and Ms. Tepe each continued to have their own cars and debts.

The couple married in Columbus on August 22, 2015, but divorced in May 2017.

There was no further movement in the divorce case for several years until June 2025, although court records showed a hearing was scheduled. A trial date in the case was scheduled for September, but it has been canceled, a court spokesperson told USA TODAY.

No one in the court could immediately say why the hearing was scheduled or rescheduled eight years after the divorce.

When did Monique remarry?

Monique and Spencer Tepe were married on January 30, 2020, and were murdered one month shy of their fifth wedding anniversary.

Monique Tepe said in her wedding vows that it was a “quite a journey” to get to Spencer.

“Countless bad Bumble dates, bad relationships, and a waterfall of tears,” she said, crying. “But it was worth all the cringing because it led me to you. Through all of this, I knew that God was leading me into my own person, and that when I met Him, it was going to be the most magical thing ever. And is that an understatement?”

During his vows, Spencer told Monique that she was his best friend.

“We are very lucky,” he said. “I promise to never stop loving you and always keep working on us…I promise to always do my best to keep you smiling because your smile is my favorite thing.”

What do the Tepe family say?

In an interview with NBC News, Misley said she was not aware of any physical abuse between Mackey and Monique Tepe or if there had been any recent threats. “If any of us had known that these threats were actually based on probabilities, we all would have acted differently,” he said.

He told Good Morning America that more than 1,000 people attended Tepes’ funeral, showing how kind and well-liked they were.

“We just want justice,” Misley said. “We want this person to take so much from so many people, not just our family. And of course, especially children. We want this person to pay for what they’ve done.”

The Spencer and Monique Tepe incident: Police say dentist’s wife didn’t tearfully call 911 months before the couple’s bodies were discovered

In a previous statement to USA TODAY, the Tepe family said they were devastated by the loss.

“They were extraordinary people who lived lives filled with love, joy and deep connections with others,” they said. “We are heartbroken beyond words.”

They described Spencer, 37, as a “devoted and proud father, loving partner and friend to everyone he met,” and Monique, 39, as a “loving, patient and joyful mother whose warmth defined her.”

“We continue to honor their lives and the light they brought to this world.”

Data centers put politicians in a bind as electricity prices soar

US-NEA
-
0
Data centers put politicians in a bind as electricity prices soar

play

Voter anger over soaring power prices is spreading across party lines across the country, as energy-hungry data centers increase the strain on power grids and ratepayers’ wallets.

Analysts are now warning that growing opposition to big warehouses driving the artificial intelligence revolution is becoming a major factor in the 2026 midterm elections.

As Americans face high utility bills, data centers that provide the computing power and storage needed to power AI models like ChatGPT are emerging as the “villains,” Jefferies analysts said in a report this week.

All political candidates running this election year will be forced to “take a position, whether for or against data centers/AI.”

“This issue is not just an issue at the state and local level, it is also on the federal agenda as the election narrative forces this issue across all sectors,” they said. “This is not only evident in state-level elections, especially those with gubernatorial turnover (term limits and re-election), but also nationally, where many still seem to underestimate the Trump administration’s focus on these issues.”

Trump: Tech companies need to ‘pay for themselves’ for data centers

President Donald Trump has argued that data centers are essential to the U.S. economy and the AI ​​race with China, but they face increasing pressure to cut costs for Americans struggling with his economic response.

President Trump on Monday, January 12, addressed voters’ concerns about data centers and said his administration is working on agreements with technology companies to keep Americans out of their data centers.

President Trump said in a post on his Truth Social platform that he “never wants Americans to have to pay higher electricity bills because of data centers.” “We are the ‘hottest’ country in the world and number one in AI. Data centers are key to that boom and keep Americans free and safe, but the big tech companies that build them will have to ‘pay their own way.'”

Electricity prices have soared in recent years as power companies replace aging infrastructure and upgrade their power grids. Data centers only increase energy demand.

A study last year from Carnegie Mellon University and North Carolina State University estimated that data centers and crypto mining could increase average electricity bills by 8% by 2030, and more than 25% in major data center markets such as Northern Virginia.

Companies fear a backlash due to soaring electricity prices

Electricity prices are rising rapidly in areas with a high concentration of data centers.

“In rural America, where data centers are being built right now, everyone is already angry because electricity prices have gone up so much,” Energy Secretary Chris Wright said recently at the North American Gas Forum.

Democrat Abigail Spanberger won Virginia’s gubernatorial election in November on a promise to lower utility rates as voters blamed steep interest rate hikes on the state’s data center boom.

Northern Virginia, also known as the “Data Center Capital of the World” or “Data Center Alley,” accounts for a large share of the world’s Internet traffic.

“I think it’s important that the burden of data centers is not on ratepayers. In fact, it’s important that ratepayers pay their fair share in their own way,” Spanberger said during his campaign.

Technology companies are concerned that a backlash against data centers threatens the expansion of AI.

Community backlash spiked between April and June last year. In just three months, 20 projects worth $98 billion have been delayed or blocked, more than in all previous quarters since 2023, according to Data Center Watch, which tracks the backlash.

Microsoft pledged this week to cover costs associated with its data centers.

“We believe it is unfair and politically unrealistic for our industry to ask Americans to pay more for AI, especially when tech companies are so profitable,” Brad Smith, vice chairman and president of Microsoft, said in a blog post. “Instead, we believe that the long-term success of AI infrastructure requires technology companies to pay their own costs for the electricity they generate.”

Last year, Microsoft withdrew plans to build a data center in Wisconsin after community backlash.

GoFundMe page for Detroit Ford employees after exchange with President Trump

US-NEA
-
0
GoFundMe page for Detroit Ford employees after exchange with President Trump

play

  • TJ Sabra made comments to President Trump on January 13th that resulted in Sabra being suspended.
  • Trump responded with expletives and obscene gestures.

A Ford Motor Co. employee who was suspended from his job for heckling President Donald Trump is receiving an outpouring of support from friends, even though the president apparently gave him the middle finger.

However, late in the evening on January 14th, he appeared to ask that donations be closed to two GoFundMe pages. These pages are in support of suspended Ford employee TJ Sabra and have raised a total of $810,765 for him as of 7:36 p.m.

A GoFundMe spokesperson confirmed that the two pages are legitimate fundraising efforts for Sabula. The Detroit Free Press, part of the USA TODAY Network, reached out to Sabra, but he did not respond to a request for comment. A GoFundMe spokesperson said they have asked the group to inform them that they are refusing to be interviewed at this time.

In a late-night update on January 14, a person identified as Sabra wrote on one of the pages, “Thank you so much for the outpouring of support! At this time, donations to this campaign are closed. We encourage you to look for other causes and organizations to support. We appreciate all donations, comments, shares, and signs of support!”

A similar message from organizers was posted on another page, also indicating that donations were no longer being accepted.

more: Trump dismisses ‘lunatic’ heckler at Ford plant in Detroit

The incident that led to the Sabra’s suspension occurred on the afternoon of January 13, when President Trump visited Ford’s Dearborn Truck Plant, where Ford assembles the F-150 pickup truck. President Trump toured the facility ahead of a scheduled speech at the Detroit Economic Club. The UAW confirmed that Sabra has been suspended with pay.

Ford Executive Chairman Bill Ford told the Detroit Free Press late on January 13 on the sidelines of the Detroit Auto Show that the tour had gotten off to a good start and was generally positive. In fact, one factory manager told the Free Press that meeting the president was a once-in-a-lifetime experience for an employee who has been with the company for 32 years.

But the incident, which gained attention on social media, occurred as the president was walking through the chamber. TMZ reports that someone yelled the words “pedophile protector” at President Trump. Local media was not allowed to participate in the tour.

The comment was an apparent reference to President Trump’s relationship with the late convicted criminal Jeffrey Epstein and the US Department of Justice’s notorious slowness in releasing the Epstein files. Epstein’s death in prison was ruled a suicide.

According to a report from TMZ, Trump is said to have sworn back at the employee before flashing his middle finger in the employee’s direction. The Washington Post also reported on President Trump’s lewd behavior and cited Sabra by name.

As the Free Press reported on January 13, Sabra remains suspended while Ford investigates the incident.

One GoFundMe page identifies the worker as TJ Sabula. The page’s organizer, Diandra Gourlay, said in a post that Sabra is a married father of two and a member of the UAW 600. The page also includes a screenshot of President Trump making the gesture. On the page, Gourlay described how during a factory visit, workers expressed concerns about Trump, and the president responded with a middle finger and an expletive. Gourlay, who is a long-time friend of Sabra’s family, said all funds raised would be donated to the family to help cover expenses “during these uncertain times.”

As of 7:36 p.m. on Jan. 14, Golay’s page had raised $329,885 for Sabra, with about 13,400 donors listed.

A second GoFundMe page organized by Sean Williams is titled “TJ Sabra is a Patriot,” and Williams writes, “Please help us raise money for Patriot TJ Sabra!! TJ calls President Donald J. Trump a pedophile. I got suspended from my job at Ford Motor Company for correctly calling me a guardian!! Let’s come together to support TJ and help him pay his bills (and force DJT to release the Trump/Epstein files).” LFG!!”

As of 7:36 p.m. on January 14th, the page had raised $480,880 from approximately 21,500 donations. Comments on the page under “Words of Support” read: “President Trump’s response tells you everything you need to know” and “An example to all those who are letting us down right now.” There were also supportive comments such as “Good job” and “Keep up the good work.”

Sabra also received support from Rep. Rashida Tlaib, D-Detroit, who posted on Facebook on January 14, “This worker is a national hero. He’s right. In fact, the president is protecting pedophiles. Don’t come to my district and expect a warm welcome. Detroit will always speak truth to power. Release the Epstein file!”

The UAW initially did not comment on the situation to the Free Press, other than confirming on Jan. 13 that the member had been suspended. However, on January 14, the company released a statement supporting Sabra.

“The UAW ensures that our members have the full protection of all contract language negotiated to protect their jobs and their rights as union members. Workers should never be subjected to foul language or behavior from anyone, including the President of the United States,” Laura Dickerson, head of the UAW’s Ford division, said in a statement.

Former U.S. Secretary of Transportation Pete Buttigieg also announced his support for Sabra on January 14 during the Detroit Auto Show.

“I don’t know everything about the legalities and the contract with the UAW, but I do know this: This is a worker who spoke his mind to the most powerful person in this country,” Buttigieg said. “And he has every right as an American to do so.”

When the Free Press asked Bill Ford about the incident late on January 13, Ford said, “Discipline is in the hands of the organization. It’s disappointing and it was embarrassing because 99 percent of the employees at the plant were great and we’re the organizers. But it was six seconds of a one-hour tour and the tour went well.”

more: Ford Dearborn truck plant manager talks about visit with President Trump

more: Ford employee suspended over interaction with Trump during Detroit visit

In an emailed statement to the Free Press, Ford spokesman Dave Tovar said the visit went well and the company is proud of the way its employees represent Ford.

“We saw the clip you refer to,” Tovar said. “One of our core values ​​is respect and we do not tolerate anyone who says such inappropriate things within our facilities. If something like that happens, we have processes to address it, but we do not get into specific personnel issues.”

The UAW said this article has been updated to accurately reflect the donation amount and correct his salary status.

Jamie L. Lareau is senior auto writer for USA Today and covers Ford Motor Company for the Detroit Free Press. Contact Jamie at jlareau@freepress.com. Follow her on Twitter @Jalarowan.

Tommy Lee Jones puts Victoria Jones under temporary conservatorship

US-NEA
-
0
Tommy Lee Jones puts Victoria Jones under temporary conservatorship

play

Tommy Lee Jones’ petition two years ago to place his daughter Victoria Jones into court-ordered conservatorship has received new attention after she was found dead on January 1st.

The San Francisco Chronicle reported on January 2 that records in California’s Marin County Superior Court show that the 79-year-old “Fugitive” actor successfully petitioned to be appointed a conservator to oversee his daughter.

Tommy Lee Jones’ petition, filed on Aug. 7, 2023, was approved later that month, according to court records reviewed by USA TODAY on Jan. 14. On December 13, 2023, Jones filed a petition to terminate her temporary conservatorship. A few days later, the petition was granted.

In a general conservatorship, a court can appoint a guardian for a person deemed unable to care for his or her own needs. Their “conservator has all powers and responsibilities, except those determined to be unnecessary,” according to the California courts’ website.

Victoria Jones’ attorney in the guardianship case declined to comment to USA TODAY. USA TODAY has reached out to Tommy Lee’s representatives for comment.

Victoria Jones, 34, was found in the hallway of a San Francisco hotel in the early hours of January 1st. Paramedics arrived just before 3 a.m. and pronounced her dead, the San Francisco Fire Department told USA TODAY on Jan. 2.

Victoria Jones, the youngest child of Tommy Lee Jones and ex-wife Kimberly Crawley, followed in her father’s footsteps early in life. Her first film credit was in the 2002 sequel to her father, Men in Black II, in which she played a child whose memories were erased.

She also returned to the big screen in a small, non-voice role in the 2005 western film The Three Burials of Melquiades Estrada, directed by and starring Tommy Lee Jones. Other credits include an episode of the teen drama One Tree Hill and the 2005 thriller film Sorry, Asshole.

contribution:

OpenAI, Google, Anthropic Launch Tools

US-NEA
-
0
OpenAI, Google, Anthropic Launch Tools

OpenAI, Google, and Anthropic announced specialized medical AI capabilities within days of each other this month, but this clustering suggests competitive pressure rather than coincidental timing. However, despite marketing rhetoric emphasizing the transformation of healthcare, none of the products released have been approved as medical devices, approved for clinical use, or available for direct patient diagnosis.

OpenAI introduced ChatGPT Health on January 7, allowing users in the US to connect their medical records through partnerships with b.well, Apple Health, Function, and MyFitnessPal. Google released MedGemma 1.5 on January 13th, expanding its open medical AI model to be able to interpret 3D CT and MRI scans along with whole-slide histopathology images.

Anthropic followed Claude for Healthcare on January 11 with a HIPAA-compliant connector to the CMS coverage database, ICD-10 coding system, and National Provider Identifier Registry.

All three companies target the same workflow pain points (pre-authorization review, claims processing, clinical documentation) with similar technology approaches, but with different go-to-market strategies.

Developer platform rather than diagnostic product

The architectural similarities are notable. Each system uses multimodal large-scale language models that are fine-tuned based on medical literature and clinical datasets. Each emphasizes privacy protections and regulatory disclaimers. Each is positioned to support rather than replace clinical judgment.

The difference lies in the deployment and access models. OpenAI’s ChatGPT Health operates as a consumer service with a waiting list for ChatGPT Free, Plus, and Pro subscribers outside the EEA, Switzerland, and the United Kingdom. Google’s MedGemma 1.5 was released as an open model through the Health AI Developer Foundations program and can be downloaded through Hugging Face or deployed through Google Cloud’s Vertex AI.

Anthropic’s Claude for Healthcare integrates into existing enterprise workflows through Claude for Enterprise and targets institutional buyers rather than individual consumers. The regulatory position is consistent across all three.

OpenAI clearly states that Health is “not intended for diagnostic or therapeutic purposes.” Google positions MedGemma as a “starting point for developers to evaluate and adapt to medical use cases.” Anthropic emphasizes that the output is “not intended to directly inform clinical diagnosis, patient management decisions, treatment recommendations, or other direct clinical practice applications.”

Benchmark performance and clinical validation

Although medical AI benchmark results have improved significantly across all three releases, the gap between test performance and clinical deployment remains large. Google reports that MedGemma 1.5 achieved 92.3% accuracy on MedAgentBench, Stanford University’s medical agent task completion benchmark, compared to 69.6% for the previous Sonnet 3.5 baseline.

This model improved MRI disease classification on internal examination by 14 percentage points and CT findings by 3 percentage points. Anthropic’s Claude Opus 4.5 scored 61.3% in the MedCalc medical computational accuracy test and 92.3% in MedAgentBench with Python code execution enabled.

The company also claims that its “integrity ratings” related to de facto hallucinations have also improved, although specific metrics were not disclosed.

OpenAI does not specifically publish benchmark comparisons for ChatGPT Health, instead pointing out that “more than 230 million people worldwide ask health and wellness-related questions on ChatGPT every week” based on anonymized analysis of existing usage patterns.

These benchmarks measure performance on selected test datasets rather than actual clinical results. Medical errors can have life-threatening consequences, and translating benchmark accuracy into clinical utility is more complex than in other AI application domains.

Control pathways remain unclear

The regulatory framework for these medical AI tools remains ambiguous. In the United States, FDA oversight depends on the intended use. Software that “supports or makes recommendations to health care professionals regarding the prevention, diagnosis, or treatment of disease” may require premarket review as a medical device. None of the tools announced have been cleared by the FDA.

The liability issue is similarly unresolved. Mike Reagin, Banner Health’s CTO, said the health system was “attracted to Anthropic’s focus on AI safety,” which focuses on technology selection criteria rather than liability frameworks.

Existing case law provides only limited guidance regarding the apportionment of liability when a clinician relies on Claude’s prior authorization analysis and the patient suffers harm due to a delay in treatment.

Regulatory approaches vary widely by market. While the FDA and European medical device regulations provide a well-established framework for software-as-medical devices, many regulators in APAC have not issued specific guidance on generative AI diagnostic tools.

This regulatory ambiguity impacts market implementation timelines where gaps in healthcare infrastructure may accelerate implementation, creating tension between clinical needs and regulatory vigilance.

Administrative workflow rather than clinical decision making

Actual implementation will continue to be carefully considered. Louise Lindskopf, Novo Nordisk’s director of content digitization, explained that Claude is used for “document and content automation in pharmaceutical development,” with a focus on regulatory submissions rather than patient diagnoses.

Taiwan’s National Health Insurance Bureau applied MedGemma to extract data from 30,000 pathology reports for policy analysis rather than treatment decisions.

This pattern suggests that healthcare adoption is focused on administrative workflows (billing, documentation, protocol writing) where errors are not immediately dangerous, rather than direct clinical decision support, where medical AI capabilities have the most dramatic impact on patient outcomes.

Medical AI capabilities are advancing faster than the institutions implementing them can navigate the complexities of regulation, liability, and workflow integration. The technology exists. A $20/month subscription gives you access to advanced medical reasoning tools.

Whether it will lead to a transformation in healthcare delivery depends on the questions these coordinated announcements leave unanswered.

SEE ALSO: AstraZeneca bets on in-house AI to accelerate oncology research

Want to learn more about AI and big data from industry leaders? Check out the AI ​​& Big Data Expo in Amsterdam, California, and London. This comprehensive event is part of TechEx and co-located with other major technology events. Click here for more information.

AI News is brought to you by TechForge Media. Learn about other upcoming enterprise technology events and webinars.

How big is Greenland? This is the size of the world’s largest island.

US-NEA
-
0
How big is Greenland? This is the size of the world’s largest island.

play

President Donald Trump wants to seize control of the Danish territory of Greenland, which spans more than 836,000 square miles and is three times the size of Texas, about 80% of which is covered by a giant ice sheet.

Flawed maps often make islands appear smaller or larger than they really are. On some maps, it appears to be as large as Africa.

So, how big is Greenland? Here’s everything you need to know.

more: Distorted maps mislead you: Greenland is not as big as you think.

scale

One of the world’s largest places, Greenland is about 20 times the size of Denmark and 14 times the size of Africa, according to VisitGreenland.com.

Comparison: The world’s largest non-continental island, Greenland is larger than France, Germany, Spain, and the United Kingdom combined. It is also larger than the state of Alaska but smaller than the contiguous United States.

Who lives in Greenland?

The island has a population of approximately 56,480 people, making it one of the least densely populated islands in the world. Approximately 88% of the island’s people are Inuit or of mixed Danish and Inuit descent. The remaining 12% of the population is of European descent, primarily Danish.

People living on the island speak both Greenlandic and Danish.

About a quarter of the population lives in the capital Nuuk, which is the island’s largest settlement and home to museums, cafes and fashion boutiques, according to tourism websites.

more: Denmark and Greenland expand military presence ahead of US talks

How are the regions connected?

Despite the country’s size, there are no roads or rail systems connecting the towns. Each town has its own road, but it stops at the edge of town. Boats are the most popular means of transportation. Travel between towns is often done by plane, boat, helicopter, snowmobile or dog sled, according to tourism websites.

Michelle Del Rey is a trending news reporter for USA TODAY. Please contact mdelrey@usatoday.com.

When is tonight’s Powerball drawing? What you need to know.

US-NEA
-
0
When is tonight’s Powerball drawing? What you need to know.

play

The Powerball jackpot ahead of the drawing on Wednesday, January 14th is $156 million, with a cash value of $70.5 million.

It’s been three weeks since one lucky ticket in Arkansas won the $1.8 billion Christmas Eve jackpot, the second-largest jackpot in the game’s history.

Tickets were sold in Cabot, about 30 miles from Little Rock, but as of today, the big prize has yet to be claimed. According to the Arkansas Lottery, winners have 180 days from the drawing date to claim their prizes.

Here’s what you need to know about the Powerball drawing at 10:59 p.m. ET.

more: The Powerball jackpot is $156 million. We will help you choose the numbers.

What are the winning Powerball numbers for January 14th?

The winning numbers for the January 14th lottery draw are: Powerball was 2 at 6-24-39-43-51.

How to play Powerball

Powerball tickets cost $2 per play and are sold in 45 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands. This can be done at a variety of locations, including local convenience stores, gas stations, and grocery stores. In some states, you can purchase Powerball tickets online depending on your local jurisdiction.

Once you have your ticket, you have to choose six numbers. Five of them are white balls numbered from 1 to 69. The red Powerball range is 1-26. You can also add a “Power Play” for $1, which increases your winnings on all non-jackpot prizes. “Power Play” multipliers allow you to increase your winnings by 2x, 3x, 4x, 5x, or 10x.

A “Quick Pick” option is also available if you want the computer to select the numbers for you. To win the jackpot, players must match all five white balls with the red Powerball in any order.

Powerball drawings are held on Monday, Wednesday, and Saturday nights. The winnings continue to increase even if no one wins the jackpot.

Winning Lottery Numbers is sponsored by Jackpocket, the official digital lottery delivery company of the USA TODAY Network.

Do I have to be a US citizen or resident to play Powerball?

The short answer is no. You do not need to be a US citizen or resident to play Powerball. Anyone visiting any of the 45 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, or the U.S. Virgin Islands may purchase lottery tickets from authorized and licensed retailers, regardless of nationality, as long as they meet the legal age requirements (usually 18 years old) at the time of purchase.

Top 10 Powerball Jackpots

  • $2.04 billion in California on November 7, 2022
  • December 24, 2025, $1.817 billion in Arkansas.
  • $1.787 billion in Missouri and Texas on September 6, 2025
  • $1.765 billion in California on October 11, 2023
  • January 13, 2016, $1.586 billion in California, Florida, and Tennessee
  • April 6, 2024, $1.326 billion in Oregon.
  • $1.08 billion in California on July 19, 2023
  • $842.4 million in Michigan on January 1, 2024
  • March 27, 2019, $768.4 million in Wisconsin
  • August 23, 2017, $758.7 million in Massachusetts

more: A 20-year-old young man won the lottery. Her next move set social media abuzz.

Can I get Powerball tickets online?

You can also order tickets online Jackpocket, USA TODAY Network’s official digital lottery delivery companythese states and territories of the United States: Arizona, Arkansas, Colorado, Idaho, Maine, Massachusetts, Minnesota, Montana, Nebraska, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Oregon, Puerto Rico, Washington DC, and West Virginia.

The Jackpocket app allows you to choose your lottery games and numbers, place your order, check your tickets, and claim your winnings, all using your phone or home computer.

Jackpocket is the official digital lottery carrier of USA TODAY Network. Gannett may earn revenue from viewer referrals to the Jackpocket Service. Must be 18 years or older, 21 years or older in Arizona, 19 years or older in Nebraska. Not affiliated with any state lottery. Gambling problem? Call 1-877-8-HOPE-NY or text HOPENY (467369) (NY). 1-800-327-5050 (MA); 1-877-MYLIMIT (OR); 1-800-981-0023 (PR); 1-800-GAMBLER (ALL OTHERS). visit jackpocket.com/tos Over the entire period.

Fernando Cervantes Jr. is a trending news reporter for USA TODAY. Contact us at fernando.cervantes@gannett.com and follow us at X @fern_cerv_.

New York Giants, John Harbaugh working on contract

US-NEA
-
0
New York Giants, John Harbaugh working on contract

play

John Harbaugh didn’t have to wait long to find a new job.

The New York Giants are working on a deal to make Harbaugh their next head coach, ESPN’s Adam Schefter reported Wednesday night. Barring any obstacles in establishing the exact terms of the contract, Harbaugh is expected to reach an agreement with the team, Schefter reported.

The former Baltimore Ravens head coach spent about a week away from work after his former team fired him on Jan. 6 before focusing on his promising new arrival.

The 2019 NFL Coach of the Year had his first in-person meeting with the Giants on Jan. 14 after a full week of virtual meetings with New York and other teams.

If the deal is completed, the Giants will be the first of nine teams to fill a head coaching vacancy this offseason.

Harbaugh, 63, immediately became a top head coaching candidate after parting ways with the Ravens. Schefter reported on Jan. 6 that within 45 minutes of Harbaugh’s firing, seven teams contacted Harbaugh’s agent about the vacancy.

By the time the Ravens fired Harbaugh, he had been their head coach for 18 full seasons, amassing a 180-113 record and winning a Super Bowl. His 180 wins make him the 14th-winningest coach in NFL history and the fourth-most among active coaches. Harbaugh’s 13 playoff wins are tied for seventh all-time and second most among active coaches behind Chiefs head coach Andy Reid (28).

Harbaugh’s tenure with the Ravens ended after Baltimore lost to the Pittsburgh Steelers in Week 18, eliminating them from playoff contention. Ravens rookie kicker Tyler Loup’s first 44-yard field goal missed the right side of the frame, dropping the Ravens’ record to 8-9. This season marked the second time in the past eight years that Baltimore has missed the playoffs.

In New York, Harbaugh replaces Brian Daboll, who was fired on Nov. 10 after going 2-8. The Giants have opted to allow general manager Joe Schon to continue his coaching search.

Verizon outage resolved after company promises credit

US-NEA
-
0
Verizon outage resolved after company promises credit

play

Verizon announced that the nearly 10-hour outage across the United States on January 14th has been resolved.

The wireless carrier said in a statement to X late Wednesday that it had “disappointed many customers” and promised to provide account credits to affected customers.

Verizon said credit details will be shared directly with customers.

The outage began around 12:30 p.m. ET, resulting in more than 1.5 million Verizon customers reporting wireless and data outages, according to Downdetector. The number of reports exceeded the Verizon outage that occurred on August 30, 2025, making it one of the largest outages of 2025, according to the real-time tracking website.

The event spread across the United States, with reported concentrations in New York City, Atlanta, Charlotte, Houston, and Brooklyn, New York, according to Down Detector.

Wireless cut: Verizon lays off more than 13,000 non-union employees, CEO announces

Verizon did not specify the extent of the disruption, but said it saw no signs of a cyberattack. Internet monitoring company Cisco ThousandEyes called the event “one of the most significant nationwide connectivity outages in recent memory” in a memo to USA TODAY.

The outage prompted several major cities to advise residents to use other carriers to call emergency services.

follow me Verizon service outage

“We understand how important reliable connectivity is and apologize for any inconvenience,” the company said in an earlier statement about the X.

Federal Communications Commission Chairman Brendan Carr told Reuters after a Congressional hearing on Wednesday, January 14, that the agency will review the failure and “take appropriate action.”

AstraZeneca bets on in-house AI to speed up oncology research

US-NEA
-
0
AstraZeneca bets on in-house AI to speed up oncology research

Drug development is generating more data than ever before, and major pharmaceutical companies like AstraZeneca are turning to AI to make sense of it. The question is no longer whether AI can help, but rather how closely it should be integrated into research and clinical operations to improve clinical trial and treatment decision-making.

This question helps explain why AstraZeneca is bringing Modella AI in-house. The company has agreed to acquire a Boston-based AI company, aiming to deepen the use of AI across oncology research and clinical development. Financial terms were not disclosed.

Rather than treating AI as a support tool, AstraZeneca is pulling Modela’s models, data and staff directly into its research organization. The move reflects broader changes in the pharmaceutical industry, with partnerships giving way to acquisitions as companies seek more control over how they build, test and use AI in regulated environments.

Why AI ownership is becoming important in drug discovery research

Modella AI focuses on using computers to analyze pathology data, such as biopsy images, and linking those findings with clinical information. Its research focuses on making pathology more quantitative, helping researchers discover patterns that may indicate useful biomarkers or guide treatment choices.

Modella said in a statement that its foundational models and AI agents will be integrated into AstraZeneca’s oncology research and development operations, which will focus on clinical development and biomarker discovery.

How AstraZeneca moved its AI partnership towards full integration

For AstraZeneca, the deal builds on a collaboration that began several years ago. This early partnership allowed both parties to test whether Modela’s tools would work within a pharmaceutical company’s research environment. AstraZeneca executives say the experience highlights the need for closer integration.

Speaking at the JPMorgan Healthcare Conference, AstraZeneca Chief Financial Officer Aradhana Sarin described the acquisition as a way to bring more data and AI capabilities into the company.

“Oncology drug development is becoming more complex, data-rich and time-sensitive,” said Gabi Raia, chief commercial officer at Modella AI, adding that joining AstraZeneca will allow the company to deploy its tools in global trials and clinical settings.

Utilize AI to improve trial decisions

Sarin said the deal “significantly strengthens” AstraZeneca’s efforts in quantitative pathology and biomarker discovery by combining data, models and teams under one roof. While such language reflects ambition, the practical goal is more grounded: to reduce the time it takes to turn research data into decisions that influence trial design and patient selection.

One area where AstraZeneca hopes AI will impact is the selection of patients for clinical trials. Better matching of patients and studies could improve trial results and reduce costs associated with study delays and failures.

This type of improvement relies less on complex algorithms and more on stable access to clean data and tools that fit into existing workflows.

People and tools moved in-house

The acquisition also highlights a shift in the way big pharmaceutical companies think about AI talent. Companies are increasingly treating data scientists and machine learning experts as part of their core research teams, rather than relying on external vendors. For AstraZeneca, bringing Modela staff in-house reduces reliance on external roadmaps and gives the company more say in how the tool is adapted as research needs change.

AstraZeneca said that while partnerships between pharmaceutical and technology companies have become common, this is the first time a major pharmaceutical company has acquired an AI company outright.

AstraZeneca enters crowded field of pharma and AI deals

At the same healthcare conference, several new partnerships were announced, including a $1 billion collaboration between Nvidia and Eli Lilly to build new research labs using Nvidia’s latest AI chips.

These deals demonstrate growing interest in AI across industries, but also highlight important differences in strategy. Partnerships can speed up experimentation, while acquisitions signal a long-term bet on building internal capabilities. For companies operating under strict regulatory rules, that control can be as important as raw computing power.

What AstraZeneca is betting next

Sarin described the initial partnership between AstraZeneca and Modela as a “test drive,” saying the company ultimately wanted Modela’s data, models and talent within its organization. The aim is to help develop “highly targeted biomarkers, and then highly targeted treatments,” she said.

Beyond the Moderna deal, Sarin said 2026 is expected to be a busy year for AstraZeneca, with several late-stage trial results expected to be announced in a variety of therapeutic areas. The company is also working toward a goal of $80 billion in annual revenue by 2030.

Whether such acquisitions help achieve these goals depends on execution. Incorporating AI into drug development is slow, expensive, and often cumbersome. Still, AstraZeneca’s move is a clear signal that it sees value in deeply embedding AI into the way it discovers and tests drugs, rather than buying it as a service.

(Photo: Mika Baumeister)

SEE ALSO: Allister Frost: Tackling employee anxiety for successful AI integration

Want to learn more about AI and big data from industry leaders? Check out the AI ​​& Big Data Expo in Amsterdam, California, and London. This comprehensive event is part of TechEx and co-located with other major technology events. Click here for more information.

AI News is brought to you by TechForge Media. Learn about other upcoming enterprise technology events and webinars.

EV buyers spent an average of $58,000 on new cars in December 2025

US-NEA
-
0
EV buyers spent an average of ,000 on new cars in December 2025

play

  • The average price of a new electric vehicle in December 2025 was $58,034, up from the previous month.
  • This price hike occurred despite manufacturers offering significant incentives averaging more than $10,000 per vehicle.
  • Total EV sales in 2025 will be approximately 1.28 million units, down 2% from the previous year.

Electric vehicle buyers spent an average of $58,034 on new models in December 2025, as automakers ended the first quarter without a $7,500 federal tax credit on plug models that expired in September, new data from Kelley Blue Book shows.

According to the group, the average price of a new EV in December rose 2.4% compared to November’s average price of $56,691. The surge in EV prices occurred despite higher incentives introduced in December, with the typical discount being 18% of the average transaction price for that month, or more than $10,000, according to Kelley Blue Book.

Kelley Blue Book said the incentives boosted U.S. EV sales by more than 84,000 units in December, making it the best month for sales of plug-in models since the federal tax credit expired in September, the group said.

What was the average selling price of the largest EV manufacturers?

According to Edmunds.com, Tesla is an American electric vehicle company. The average sales price in December 2025 was $53,680.

Here are December prices for other top EV manufacturers listed by Edmunds:

  • BMW | $72,137
  • Ford | $58,445
  • Volkswagen | $58,440
  • General Motors | $55,805
  • Hyundai | $38,893
  • Honda | $38,884

How many EVs did automakers sell in 2025?

Kelley Blue Book estimates that automakers will sell about 1.28 million EVs in 2025, down 2% from 2024.

According to the group, EVs will account for 7.8% of all new cars sold in 2025, down from 8.1% in 2024.

The group said EV sales in 2026 are “expected to be roughly flat thanks to new model launches and continued improvements to U.S. charging infrastructure.”

Homeland Security says agents shot man during forced arrest

US-NEA
-
0
Homeland Security says agents shot man during forced arrest

play

A federal agent shot himself in the leg after being assaulted during an arrest in Minneapolis on Wednesday, days after ICE agents fatally shot Renee Nicole Good, according to the Department of Homeland Security.

The Department of Homeland Security said in a statement regarding the X that federal agents conducted a targeted traffic stop in Minneapolis around 6:50 p.m. local time. The traffic stop involved a Venezuelan national, who authorities claimed was in the United States without authorization.

The person initially fled from federal agents in a car, but crashed into a parked car and then fled on foot, according to the Department of Homeland Security. According to the agency, a police officer was assaulted when he tried to arrest the person.

While they were struggling on the ground, the Department of Homeland Security said, “two subjects emerged from a nearby apartment and attacked law enforcement officers with snow shovels and broomsticks.”

“Fearing for his life and safety as he was ambushed by three individuals, the officer fired defensive fire in an effort to protect his life. The first subject was struck in the leg,” the Department of Homeland Security said. “All three subjects ran back to the apartment and barricaded themselves inside.”

Both the officer and the person involved in the traffic stop are hospitalized, according to the Department of Homeland Security. The two people who allegedly attacked the officer were taken into custody.

Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey renewed his call for U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement to leave the city after a federal agent shot a man in the leg. The mayor said the presence of federal immigration agents across the city and state is “causing chaos.”

“This is not sustainable. This is an impossible situation our city is in right now,” Frey said at a news conference Wednesday night. “And at the same time, we’re trying to find ways to move forward to keep people safe, protect our neighbors, and maintain order.”

Frey also condemned the hostile protests in the city and called on people to go home.

“We can’t counter Donald Trump’s chaos with our own chaos,” Frey added. “And I’ve seen thousands of people protesting peacefully in the streets. I applaud those who have protested peacefully. You’re not helping the people who are taking the bait. And you’re not helping the illegal immigrants in our city.”

Frey said at a news conference that city officials had “limited” information about the shooting. Minneapolis Police Chief Brian O’Hara said police received a 911 call about a shooting in the 600 block of North 24th Street.

O’Hara said preliminary information indicated there was a “confrontation with federal agents” in front of a home in the area.

“During the struggle, federal agents fired their weapons, striking an adult male,” the police chief said. “The adult male then retreated to the residence, but remained indoors and refused to come outside.”

Federal agents then entered the residence and the man was taken to the hospital, O’Hara said. He added that Minneapolis police secured the crime scene and the Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Investigation and the FBI were processing evidence at the scene.

Who is Renee Nicole Good? What we know about women killed by ICE

Mr O’Hara admitted a crowd had gathered in the area and was “performing illegal activities”. He said people repeatedly threw fireworks at police who deployed gas.

“Police are currently attempting to disperse this unlawful assembly,” O’Hara said. “We urge anyone on scene to leave immediately. This is already a very tense situation and there is no need to escalate it further.”

According to CBS, Minnesota and FOX 9 in Minneapolis-St. Paul, a large crowd of protesters gathered near the scene of the shooting. Paul and the Minnesota Star Tribune.

Protesters clashed with federal agents as officers used chemical irritants and rubber-coated bullets to remove people from the scene, Fox 9 and the Star Tribune reported. Protesters continued to shout and blow whistles at federal officials.

Earlier Wednesday, the city of Minneapolis told X that it was aware of reports of a shooting involving federal law enforcement in north Minneapolis and was working to confirm further details. In an update, the city confirmed that a man was shot by federal immigration enforcement agents and taken to a local hospital with injuries that are not apparently life-threatening.

“We understand that there is anger, and we ask the public to remain calm,” the city said on X News, repeating its call for “ICE to immediately withdraw from our city and state.”

“We stand with our immigrant and refugee communities. Please know that you have our full support,” the city added.

The incident comes after Minnesota Governor Tim Walz urged people to use their cellphones to record federal agents conducting immigration operations in the state. His appeal comes a week after Good, 37, was shot and killed by ICE agents during an enforcement action in Minneapolis on Jan. 7.

“Help us document exactly what is happening in our communities,” Walz said in a speech Wednesday. “Please help us create a database to establish a record not only for posterity but also for future prosecutions.”

State and local officials are clashing with federal authorities over the latest acts of violence in a nationwide immigration crackdown. Tensions are also high across the city, with thousands of protesters marching and gathering to denounce the heavy-handed crackdown.

The Department of Homeland Security calls the Minnesota operation “the largest immigration operation in history.” Immigration officials say a pandemic-related fraud case in the state that authorities say is linked to Somali immigrants has led to a surge in federal agents.

Earlier, President Donald Trump said starting next month federal funding would be cut off to states, including sanctuary cities, where authorities prohibit local law enforcement from cooperating with federal immigration enforcement.

“A beautiful light for our family.” Goode’s family reveals new details about the morning she was killed by ICE

The shooting death of Good by ICE agents has put a spotlight on violent and sometimes deadly interactions between federal agents carrying out the Trump administration’s deportation program.

Immigration officers have shot at least 10 people since August, USA TODAY reported. In both incidents, agents fired shots at drivers and moving vehicles, an action that has largely been prohibited by law enforcement because of the risk to public safety.

Video of the incident shows officers swarming the vehicle within seconds of the driver approaching, breaking the windows and attempting to pry open the car door. Body camera footage and cell phone footage have repeatedly contradicted federal authorities’ initial claims about the shooting.

Similarities in the various shootings have raised concerns among public officials, judges and law enforcement experts about the aggressive tactics used by federal agents across the country. Click here for details.

— Christopher Kang

Contributed by: Reuters

Crumble said he was “testing” the donuts. Here’s what we know:

US-NEA
-
0
Crumble said he was “testing” the donuts. Here’s what we know:

play

Crumble is currently developing new sweet treats.

A week after rumors began circulating on social media about the bakery chain potentially developing a line of donuts, Crumble Cookies is looking to set the record straight.

“Crumble is excited to test donuts as part of our ongoing product innovation process,” the Lyndon, Utah-based company told USA TODAY in a statement.

It all started on Wednesday, January 7th, when popular food news aggregator Snacklater announced news about Crumble’s latest venture: “Come on, this is wild. Crumble is currently developing a lineup of 12 flavors of donuts that we’re always looking forward to trying!”

Snackrator’s post also included mockups of 12 flavors, including Cookie Butter, Strawberries & Cream, Cookies & Cream, Raspberry Cheesecake, Caramel Shortbread, S’mores, Cinnamon Crunch, Jelly, Maple Glazed, Chocolate Glazed, Strawberry Glazed, and Glazed.

USA TODAY reached out to Crumbl to confirm the validity of the Snackolator flavor mockup, but did not immediately receive a response.

Here’s what we know about the crumble donut test.

Crumble has ‘no immediate plans’ to release donuts

Customers will have to wait a considerable amount of time before trying the donuts as internal testing begins. “Testing is still in its early stages and there are no plans to begin immediately,” Crumble said.

Crumble added: “Possible rollout is well into the future and will depend on extensive testing, customer feedback and operational considerations.” “We continue to focus on thoughtful innovation while ensuring new products meet the experience and quality standards our customers expect from Crumbl.”

In the meantime, customers can purchase dessert flights from Crumble’s weekly menu.

President Trump doubts Reza Pahlavi’s ability to garner support in Iran

US-NEA
-
0
President Trump doubts Reza Pahlavi’s ability to garner support in Iran

play

WASHINGTON, Jan 14 (Reuters) – U.S. President Donald Trump said on Wednesday that Iranian rebel leader Reza Pahlavi “seems like a very nice guy” but expressed uncertainty about whether Pahlavi could muster enough support in Iran to ultimately take power.

In an exclusive interview with Reuters from the Oval Office, President Trump said Iran’s clerical government could collapse, blamed Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy for stalled negotiations with Russia over the Ukraine war, and dismissed Republican criticism of the Justice Department’s investigation into Federal Reserve Chairman Jerome Powell.

President Trump has repeatedly threatened to intervene in aid to protesters in Iran, where thousands have reportedly been killed in a crackdown on an uprising against clerical rule. But he was reluctant to fully support Mr. Pahlavi, the son of Iran’s late shah who was ousted from power in 1979.

“He looks very good, but I don’t know how he’s going to play domestically,” Trump said. “And we’re not really at that point yet.

“I don’t know if his country will accept his leadership, but if they do, it doesn’t matter to me.”

Trump’s comments further called into question his ability to lead Iran, after he said last week that he had no plans to meet with Pahlavi.

Pahlavi, 65, who is based in the United States, has been living outside Iran since before his father was overthrown in the 1979 Islamic revolution and has become a prominent voice in the protests. Iran’s opposition is fragmented into rival groups and ideological factions, including monarchists who support Mr. Pahlavi, and appears to have little organized presence within the Islamic republic.

President Trump said the protests could cause the collapse of Tehran’s government, but in reality “any regime could collapse.”

“Whether it goes down or not, it’s going to be an interesting time,” he said.

Trump, who is completing the first year of his second term, sat behind a giant “desk of determination” and sipped a Diet Coke during the 30-minute interview. At one point, he held up a thick binder of documents documenting his accomplishments since taking office on January 20, 2025.

However, he pointed out that the ruling party often loses seats two years after a presidential election, and sought to live up to expectations for the Republican Party in November’s midterm parliamentary elections.

“Winning the president doesn’t mean winning the midterm elections,” he said. “But we’re going to work hard to win the midterm elections.”

Ukraine remains the main obstacle to peace agreement

Trump, who has struggled throughout his presidential term to end Russia’s war in Ukraine, said Zelenskyy was the main obstacle to resolving the four-year war, even though his campaign boasted he could end the war in a day.

President Trump has frequently criticized both Russian President Vladimir Putin and President Zelensky, but he was once again gloomy toward the Ukrainian president.

President Trump said Putin was “ready to make a deal.” When asked what the holdup was, Trump simply said, “Zelensky.”

“We have to get President Zelenskiy to agree to this,” he said.

Republicans ‘should be loyal’

President Trump fired Senate Republicans who had vowed to block Powell’s nomination for the Fed, citing concerns that his administration’s Justice Department was interfering with the central bank’s traditional independence with its investigation into Powell.

“I don’t care. I have nothing to say. They should be loyal,” he said of his own party’s members.

Mr. Trump also rejected criticism from JPMorgan CEO Jamie Dimon that Mr. Trump’s Fed intervention could accelerate inflation. “I don’t care what he says,” Trump said.

President Trump is scheduled to meet with Venezuelan opposition leader Maria Colina Machado at the White House on Thursday, January 15th, their first face-to-face meeting since he ordered the arrest of President Nicolás Maduro and assumed power earlier this month.

play

Nobel Institute says Machado’s Peace Prize cannot be ‘transferred’ to Trump

Venezuelan opposition leader Maria Colina Machado will not be able to hand over the 2025 Nobel Peace Prize to President Donald Trump.

“She’s a very nice woman,” President Trump said of Machado. “I’ve seen her on TV. I’ll just tell you the basics.”

Machado won the Nobel Peace Prize last year and dedicated it to Trump. She offered to hand over her prize to him, but the Nobel Committee said the Peace Prize was not transferable.

He praised Venezuela’s acting president Delcy Rodriguez, who was vice president when Maduro was ousted. President Trump said he had an “interesting conversation” with Rodriguez earlier Wednesday and that “she responded very well.”

(Reporting by Steve Holland; Editing by Colleen Jenkins, Ross Colvin and Diane Craft)

P&G hands large stock package to new CEO amid sales slump

US-NEA
-
0
P&G hands large stock package to new CEO amid sales slump

play

  • Jejurikar has been awarded a performance incentive of over 130,000 company stock options.
  • Mr. Jejurikar’s compensation includes a salary of $1.6 million, potential incentive pay and a long-term incentive award worth $14 million.
  • The change in management comes as P&G plans to cut 7,000 administrative jobs amid slowing sales growth.

Procter & Gamble has given its new CEO, Shailesh Jejrikar, a strong performance incentive to boost his company’s performance: options on more than 130,000 shares of the company’s stock.

The new president of the consumer products giant now owns $14.9 million in stock in the company, which makes everything from Tide detergent to Pampers diapers to Gillette razors. But with more than $5 million worth of new stock grants and vested options, his net worth would jump to more than $28 million, according to company filings with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission.

While Jejurikar is one of the largest insider investors, P&G’s proxy statement reveals that all 27 executives and directors collectively own less than 0.2% of the company’s more than $330 billion in outstanding stock.

In case you missed it: Procter & Gamble’s restructuring plan includes acquisitions, brand sales and CEO change

Mr. Jejrikar has an opportunity to increase the value of his stock, but his latest stock options are “underground,” or worthless, because P&G’s stock price has slumped since the options were granted in mid-September and early October. This stock has no value until P&G stock rises above $153.18. On January 12, P&G stock closed at $143.46 per share.

Paying executives in stock and options is standard corporate practice to align financial incentives with shareholders.

Appointed as P&G’s next CEO in July

Jejrikar, 59, was appointed as the new CEO on July 28, replacing John Mueller, who has led the company since 2021. He was named No. 2 executive on the same day Mueller was chosen to succeed him and had long been seen as the company’s next leader.

Previously, he served as CEO of P&G’s Global Fabrics and Home Care from 2019 to 2021, where he oversaw many of P&G’s most iconic brands, including Tide, Ariel, Downy, GAIN, Febreze and Swiffer, which accounted for one-third of the company’s sales and profits.

Jejurical’s rise comes as P&G seeks to reduce

Mr. Jejrikar will be paid an annual salary of $1.6 million and an additional annual stipend worth up to $3.2 million, according to company disclosures to the government. The company’s board also approved long-term incentives for Jejurikar worth $14 million.

Under Jejurikar, P&G is aiming to boost sales by using the layoffs to invest in improved products. Last summer, P&G announced it would cut 7,000 office jobs as a restructuring measure in response to slumping sales. In July, the company reported its slowest sales growth in seven years.

Universal bans mother after shoplifting mix-up with autistic child

US-NEA
-
0
Universal bans mother after shoplifting mix-up with autistic child

A Florida mother says her family was kicked out of Universal’s Epic Universe theme park because of misconceptions about her autistic daughter.

Nikki Daou was charged with shoplifting and was temporarily banned from Universal properties, according to a letter sent by her attorney. Daou told USA TODAY that she took her daughter outside a crowded store in late December to avoid a meltdown.

Her then-six-year-old son, whom she described as “severely autistic” at the time, was clutching a key chain she hadn’t yet purchased, although she had no intention of buying one yet. Dow’s husband, Alan, who is also disabled and uses a wheelchair, remained at the home to remove the tags on the items and pay for them.

“She just clung to it. You know, she started saying, ‘My Mario, my Mario, my Mario.'” In her world, repetition is important, Daou recalled. “We learned that you don’t accept what (she) is into.”

Ms. Daou also knew what would happen if she and her daughter remained in the store longer. “She (changes) within a minute or two from being calm, calm and collected to throwing herself on the floor, punching herself, punching others, banging her head against the floor and walls,” Daou said, adding that during that trip, her daughter had already had one meltdown while waiting to receive a disability pass from the resort.

Daou said the two were just leaving the store when a plainclothes security guard approached her and told her to leave with him because he had been caught shoplifting. Daou said she tried to explain the situation, but her husband also came out, but “he wouldn’t listen.”

She said the guard not only took the keychain, but “they’re dangling it in front of the child, and the child is screaming, ‘My Mario, my Mario.'” She said the guard confiscated the first keychain, so her husband bought two more and showed the guard the receipt, to no avail.

Universal did not immediately respond to USA TODAY’s request for comment.

Daou said he was taken to the theme park for further questioning. “At that point I’m sobbing. I’m terrified,” she said. She explained the situation to another guard.

“He was out for maybe two minutes, came back and handed me three papers, and he said that from this point on, you’re trespassing on Universal and its affiliates, the parking lot, and CityWalk. The Orange County Sheriff is on his way to escort you off the property. You’ll receive the fine in the mail, and you’ll need to pay it.”

She said the sheriff arrived but was allowed to leave without an escort. However, Daou said the park took away her husband’s wheelchair and her disabled daughter’s stroller, which she had borrowed from the park. They had to take turns carrying out their daughter and personal belongings.

“While I’m holding Alan, she’s punching and kicking me,” Dow said, adding that her husband’s disability already makes it painful to walk. Meanwhile, she said she was concerned because they were staying on Universal property and took resort transportation to the park.

“It’s like, ‘Okay, we’ve been trespassed. Can I take the shuttle? Can I go back to the hotel?'” she said.

Something goes wrong: Tips for flying for passengers with disabilities

“Of course they called me,” said Rick Block, an attorney at Morgan & Morgan, where Daou is a paralegal. “I told her to just stay in the room and not come out. So they had to wait all night wondering, ‘Am I going to get kicked out or am I going to get arrested because it’s a trespassing violation?’

They left home the morning after their daughter’s seventh birthday, but a few days later received a letter from a Universal lawyer demanding $200 in civil action.

“In response, I issued a letter requesting certain things, including a portion of the money being donated to an autism charity of Dowse’s choice, a letter of apology, and a revocation of the trespass, which was clearly of no financial benefit to them,” Block said.

Block noted that the family had already spent hundreds of dollars at Universal before being accused of stealing the keychain and was not seeking any compensation.

“Intent is part of Florida’s theft law,” he said. “So if you want to mislead on Universal’s part that she shouldn’t have walked out and walked outside with her property, then again, she’s not leaving, she’s not running away, they’re waiting for Alan to pay for the damn key chain. But if you argue that she shouldn’t have done that, I get that, but there was no intent to take Universal’s property. That’s the basic basis for civil theft under the law.”

Block said a representative from Universal contacted him expressing interest in meeting with him, but he hasn’t heard back yet. Speaking on behalf of the Daou family, he said he would like to see more training for employees on how to interact with guests with disabilities and their families.

Universal Orlando already has partnered with the International Certification and Continuing Education Standards Board on the Disability Access Card. IBCCESS cannot comment on this specific incident, but its president, Meredith Tekin, told USA TODAY: “In general, we know that in any setting where the public is involved, all staff need autism training on how to navigate difficult situations. Unfortunately, in these scenarios there is often the potential for miscommunication and misunderstandings on all sides, and training is key to understanding everyone.”

Amazon retail store to be built in Chicago: See location

US-NEA
-
0
Amazon retail store to be built in Chicago: See location

play

New store planned for Chicago suburbs: Amazon plans to expand into the Chicagoland area, giving customers the opportunity to shop directly from the company, according to local planning documents.

The village of Orland Park, about 30 miles from downtown Chicago, posted on Facebook earlier this month that the tech giant would be bringing a brick-and-mortar store to the area. “The first retail store of its kind by Amazon will offer a wide range of products, from groceries to general merchandise, and will not be located in an Amazon warehouse or distribution center,” the post said.

In an emailed statement to USA TODAY, Amazon confirmed that the new store is opening and that the retail location aims to provide customers with a convenient way to shop for a variety of items, including groceries, household items, and more.

“We regularly test new experiences designed to make our customers’ everyday lives better and easier, including in our physical stores,” Amazon said in a statement. “The site in question is the site of a new concept that we believe our customers will be excited about.”

What you need to know about the Amazon store

There aren’t many details about the store at this time, but a Jan. 6 planning document from Orland Park says the building will be on about 35 acres. The building would be located next to Costco and is described in the proposal as a one-story, 225,000-square-foot commercial retail building with 837 attached parking spaces and seven loading docks.

“The proposed development will also take into account the growing consumer appetite for online ordering across the retail industry,” project documents state. “Customers will be able to pick up deliveries directly from this location, and the building and site plan will include dedicated space for third-party delivery drivers, improving safety and meeting the demands of modern online retail without sacrificing the in-store customer experience.”

more: Amazon is warning customers to be wary of identity theft scams. what’s that?

The site is also promoting the possibility of a restaurant selling prepared food. Details were approved by the village’s Planning Commission last week, but moving forward will require approval from the Orland Park Committee of the Whole and the Board of Trustees, which will meet later this month.

Amazon has dabbled in in-person shopping with store openings in the past, including Amazon Fresh grocery stores, the company’s acquisition of Whole Foods nearly a decade ago, and Amazon Go, a cashierless convenience store.

It’s unclear when the Chicagoland area store will open. Renderings of the store show it resembles a large supermarket in shape and structure, with multiple entrances and parking on site.

more: Amazon offers 30-minute delivery in these two cities. Look where.

Kate Perez covers national trends and breaking news for USA TODAY. You can reach her at kperez@usatodayco.com or X @katecperez_.

Walz urges people to document ICE for ‘future prosecution’

US-NEA
-
0
Walz urges people to document ICE for ‘future prosecution’

Democratic Gov. Tim Walz called on Minnesotans to record ICE officers on their cellphones to create a database to be used “for future prosecutions.”

play

Democratic Gov. Tim Walz called on Minnesotans to use their cellphones to record federal agents conducting immigration enforcement operations in the state in the wake of the shooting death of ICE officer Renee Nicole Macklin Good.

“Please help us document exactly what is happening in our community,” Walz appealed to residents. “Please help us create a database to establish a record not only for posterity but also for future prosecutions.”

Walz’s rare State of the State address comes amid what the Department of Homeland Security calls “the largest immigration operation in history.” Immigration officials say the controversial crackdown is necessary to root out fraud in social welfare programs that authorities say is linked to Somali immigrants.

Homeland Security military deployments became a lightning rod across the country after U.S. Customs and Immigration Officer Jonathan Ross shot and killed Good, 37, on January 7.

Trump administration officials said the mother of three engaged in an act of “domestic terrorism” by tailing investigators as she drove her SUV near Los Angeles.

In a new statement, Goode’s siblings, parents and attorney described her as a “beautiful light in our family” and said she happened upon the agent and stopped “to observe with the intention of assisting and helping a neighbor.”

“The beautiful light of our family”: Renee Good’s family reveals new details about the morning she was killed by ICE

Tear gas, snowballs, arrests: Federal authorities and protesters clash in Minneapolis.

Walz’s speech served as a call for other Minnesotans to follow Good’s efforts to monitor immigration officials working in the state.

“We don’t have to live like this forever,” the former vice presidential candidate said. “They will be held accountable at the polls and in court.”

Other efforts to “unmask” ICE agents

Minnesota’s effort to document arrests of federal agents is the latest effort by a Democratic state that has been targeted by President Donald Trump, who has pushed for mass deportations.

White House officials say widespread immigration enforcement is needed to reduce crime across the country.

States targeted by President Trump allege that operatives sent to carry out the president’s orders violate the constitutional rights of American citizens and legal residents.

“In a short period of time, we have witnessed countless acts of intimidation and brutality against civilians,” Illinois Governor JB Pritzker said at a press conference at his office on October 23, referring to the Department of Homeland Security’s deployment to the Chicago area. “It is vital that no injustice, brutality or harassment goes unnoticed… They will be held accountable.”

Chicago and the surrounding area were hit hard by the Department of Homeland Security’s immigration enforcement efforts in 2025. Federal authorities named the effort Operation Midway Blitz. Thousands of immigrants were arrested. A man from Mexico was shot and killed by an immigration officer. Federal authorities used Black Hawk helicopters to raid an apartment building housing migrants from Venezuela.

Pritzker launched the Illinois Accountability Commission in an effort to create a record of federal officials’ actions in the state in case of potential prosecution. Former Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot announced her own initiative to “unmask” immigration officials.

Homeland Security and White House officials did not immediately respond to requests for comment on Walz’s speech. DHS Assistant Secretary for Public Affairs Tricia McLaughlin previously criticized Pritzker before the state committee.

“Once again, Governor Pritzker continues to denigrate law enforcement who simply enforce the rule of law and put their lives on the line to rid Illinois of violent criminals because J.B. Pritzker refuses to do so. DHS law enforcement officers follow the law and the U.S. Constitution,” McLaughlin said, referring to multiple clashes between federal agents and protesters. “Despite these grave threats and dangerous circumstances, our nation’s law enforcement agencies have shown remarkable restraint and professionalism in exhausting all options before non-lethal force is used.”

Chris Noth agrees with comments criticizing Sarah Jessica Parker

US-NEA
-
0
Chris Noth agrees with comments criticizing Sarah Jessica Parker

play

And just like that, Chris Noth raised eyebrows among Sex and the City fans with just one word.

The 71-year-old actor expressed support for a fan’s Instagram comment criticizing his former co-star Sarah Jessica Parker.

On January 9, North shared a photo of herself at the gym and wrote in the caption, “Happy New Year – let’s go!!!!” In the comments, one fan replied, “You mean fcuk sjp and her awards, right? LOL,” alluding to Parker’s recent Golden Globe win for Carol Burnett.

“Exactly,” North replied, seemingly acknowledging Parker’s diss.

North played Mr. Big on Sex and the City and reprized the role in two feature films based on the hit HBO show. In 2021, he returned in the HBO Max reboot And Just Like That, but his character was canceled after its first episode.

The prestigious Carol Burnett Award at the Golden Globe Awards is presented annually to an individual who has made “outstanding contributions within and outside of television,” according to the organization. Past winners include Ted Danson, Ryan Murphy, Norman Lear and Ellen DeGeneres.

sarah jessica parker Shares an emotional message about the ending of ‘And Just Like That’

Chris Noth criticizes Sarah Jessica Parker’s comments as a ‘slightly sarcastic response’

As North’s social media interactions gained attention, the actor downplayed his comments and told fans to focus their attention elsewhere.

“Looks like my wild and slightly sarcastic response to a comment on the internet caused a huge uproar in the teapot,” he wrote in an Instagram caption on Jan. 14.

He added: “This is not news. It’s not worth discussing this much. It’s a waste of time in a world where there are more important things to worry about.”

Chris Noth’s ‘Sex and the City’ co-stars previously supported his accusers

In addition to her “SATC” character being killed off in 2021, North was also fired from her role on the CBS series “The Equalizer” following sexual assault allegations.

In a statement to USA TODAY, Noss denied the accusations, saying, “The accusations against me by people I met years or even decades ago are completely false.”

“These stories could be from 30 years ago or 30 days ago. No always means no. That’s a line I didn’t cross. The encounter was consensual,” he continued. “It’s hard not to question the timing of these stories. I don’t really know why these stories are coming to the surface now, but I do know this: I did not assault women.”

At the time, Parker, along with his Sex and the City co-stars Cynthia Nixon and Kristin Davis, expressed support for North’s accusers in a statement.

harrison ford Calls Helen Mirren ‘bad’ at Golden Eve celebration

In a statement posted on social media in December 2021, Parker, Nixon and Davis said they were “deeply disappointed to hear of the allegations against Chris Noth.”

“We support the women who have come forward and shared their painful experiences. We know it is very difficult for them and we commend them for that.”

According to The Hollywood Reporter and Variety, North was scheduled to make a cameo as Mr. Big in the season 1 finale of And Just Like That, but the role was cut following the allegations.

1...374375376...1,006Page 375 of 1,006

About us

Stay informed with the latest breaking news, expert insights, and in-depth coverage across USA, Politics, Economy, World News, Technology, Health, Sports, Science, and more. Your trusted source for daily news and trending topics.

Editor's Picks

The latest

When will the Trump administration’s Dulles Airport renovation work begin?

Politics 0
President Trump pressured Senator Schumer to rename Penn Station...

Lindsay Clancy, ex-husband’s testimony and nature of mental illness

USA 0
Massachusetts mother goes on trial for killing her three...

Chili’s announces nationwide restaurant renovations. What you can expect

Economy 0
Server impressed by customer's ketchup portraitWhen Jacqueline Mang realized...

Subscribe

©2025 US-NEA.COM. All Rights Reserved.