All posts tagged: Officials

Senators clash with industry officials over sports betting expansion and prediction markets during hearing

Senators clash with industry officials over sports betting expansion and prediction markets during hearing

Published by skeptic

A Senate panel spent hours Wednesday (May 20) hearing whether America’s fast-growing sports betting industry is outpacing the rules meant to control it. The Commerce, Science, and Transportation Committee’s hearing, titled “No Sure Bets: Protecting Sports Integrity in America,” brought together regulators, gaming executives, integrity specialists, and lawmakers who disagreed sharply over how prediction markets should be treated under federal law. The session took place inside the Russell Senate Office Building and was led by Sen. Marsha Blackburn through the Subcommittee on Consumer Protection, Technology, and Data Privacy. Much of the discussion centered on prediction-market platforms that now offer contracts tied to sporting events nationwide under commodities regulations instead of traditional state gaming laws. Several senators questioned whether those companies are effectively acting like sportsbooks while avoiding many of the restrictions imposed on licensed gambling operators. AGA warns prediction markets are ‘national sportsbooks’ during Senate hearing Bill Miller, president and chief executive officer of the American Gaming Association, delivered some of the hearing’s strongest criticism toward prediction-market operators. He argued that companies offering sports-event contracts …

A TikTok star recruited her dad to kill her boy band baby daddy, officials say

A TikTok star recruited her dad to kill her boy band baby daddy, officials say

Published by Sam Flores

A TikTok star was arrested in California this week and accused of trying to hire someone to kill her daughter’s father, boy band singer Jack Avery. Subscribe to read this story ad-free Get unlimited access to ad-free articles and exclusive content. Gabriela Gonzalez — a 24-year-old influencer with nearly half a million followers on the platform — was charged with one count of attempted murder, conspiracy to commit murder and solicitation of murder, the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office said in a press release Tuesday. Prosecutors alleged that, with the help of her father, Francisco Gonzalez, and her ex-boyfriend, Kai Faron Cordrey, the TikTok star plotted to kill Avery between 2020 and 2021. “Most fathers raise their children to respect the law, but here we have a dad who allegedly helped his daughter and her boyfriend break the law in the most sinister way imaginable,” Los Angeles County District Attorney Nathan J. Hochman said in a statement. A lawyer for Gabriela Gonzalez did not immediately reply to a request for comment. It is not …

Election Officials Are Getting Ready for ICE to Show Up at the Polls

Election Officials Are Getting Ready for ICE to Show Up at the Polls

Published by skeptic

A week later, during the Conservative Political Action Conference meeting, now acting attorney general Todd Blanche endorsed the idea of ICE at the polls and repeated the conspiracy theory about noncitizens voting as an excuse to deploy ICE. “Why is there objection to sending ICE officers to polling places?” he asked. “Illegals can’t vote. It doesn’t make any sense.” When asked for comment regarding ICE being deployed to the polls, White House spokesperson Abigail Jackson said, “President Trump has been clear: Securing our elections and ensuring only American citizens vote in American elections is a top priority.” Similarly, a DHS spokesperson referred WIRED to Mullin’s comments, adding, “Elections exist for the American people, not illegal aliens, to choose their leaders.” Elections have, as specified by the US Constitution, always been run by the states, and despite Trump and his allies calling for elections to be “nationalized,” that will remain the case for the 2026 midterms. Deploying ICE, the National Guard, or any other armed federal agents to polling locations is illegal under US law. Political …

US Health Officials Order Quarantine for 2 Passengers From Cruise Ship With Hantavirus Outbreak

US Health Officials Order Quarantine for 2 Passengers From Cruise Ship With Hantavirus Outbreak

Published by Sam Flores

OMAHA, Neb. (AP) — U.S. health officials said Tuesday they have issued quarantine orders for two passengers from the cruise ship at the center of a hantavirus outbreak who are now at a hospital in Nebraska. The orders were signed by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s acting director, Dr. Jay Bhattacharya, the CDC said in a statement. Quarantine orders, which can be enforced with fines and prison time, are a rare legal step that can be taken if someone objects to a public health request. All 18 passengers at the Nebraska hospital had been asked to stay at the facility through May 31, part of their monitoring period, according to the CDC. On a call with reporters, the CDC’s Dr. David Fitter said there were no hantavirus cases among the returned U.S. passengers. But symptoms of hantavirus have taken as long as 42 days to appear in previous outbreaks, said Jodie Guest, senior vice chair of epidemiology at Emory University’s Rollins School of Public Health. “I’m certain that 42 days is starting to …

Adult Dies of Hantavirus in Colorado, State Health Officials Say

Adult Dies of Hantavirus in Colorado, State Health Officials Say

Published by Sam Flores

WASHINGTON, May 18 (Reuters) – An ⁠adult ⁠in Colorado has ⁠died after a confirmed case of ​hantavirus that is not linked to a ‌recent outbreak aboard a ‌cruise ship in the Atlantic, ⁠Colorado ⁠Department of Public Health and Environment officials said ​in a statement on Monday. The strain of hantavirus that caused the Colorado death occurs regularly ​in Colorado at this time of year, ⁠the statement ⁠said, and officials ⁠are ​investigating the source of exposure. Hantavirus is primarily spread ​by rodents ⁠but can be transmitted between people in rare cases and after prolonged, close contact. Incubation can last about six ⁠weeks. The Dutch-flagged MV Hondius cruise docked at Rotterdam on ⁠Monday. It had been carrying around 150 passengers and crew from 23 countries when a cluster of severe respiratory illnesses was first reported to the World Health Organization on May 2. Three people on the liner have died. ⁠Including those deaths, there have been eight confirmed and two probable cases on board, according to WHO. (Reporting by Daphne Psaledakis, ​Katharine Jackson; editing by Susan ​Heavey …

Mexican officials announce 10 dead in early-morning shooting in Tehuitzingo | Crime News

Mexican officials announce 10 dead in early-morning shooting in Tehuitzingo | Crime News

Published by Sam Flores

Officials blamed the shooting on ‘armed individuals’, though no details were provided about the attackers or their motives. The government in the Mexican state of Puebla has confirmed the deaths of 10 people in an early-morning shooting in the city of Tehuitzingo. On Sunday, the state government identified the victims as six men, three women and a minor, though no names were offered. Recommended Stories list of 3 itemsend of list It added that the victims “were allegedly attacked by armed individuals” at a residence. No arrests have been announced as of mid-morning, and the motive for the attack remains unclear. Separately, the state Attorney General’s Office announced it had opened an investigation into the shooting, which comes as Mexico prepares to co-host the FIFA World Cup in less than a month. “According to initial reports, municipal police officers went to the property after receiving a request for assistance from a citizen who observed people apparently without vital signs,” the statement said. “Upon arriving at the residence, authorities located several people with gunshot wounds. A …

What GOP officials are hopeful — and worried — about six months from the midterms

What GOP officials are hopeful — and worried — about six months from the midterms

Published by Sam Flores

President Donald Trump isn’t on the ballot this year, but with roughly six months before Election Day, he’ll still likely be the biggest factor in determining the fortunes of the Republican Party. Subscribe to read this story ad-free Get unlimited access to ad-free articles and exclusive content. Republicans have lost a number of elections in the past six months — sometimes by overwhelming margins — giving Democrats a sense of momentum. That feeling is exacerbated by Trump’s low approval ratings, his inability to lower stubbornly high costs and an ongoing war with Iran. On top of all that is the historical trend that the party that controls the White House generally loses congressional seats during the midterms. Nevertheless, Republicans across the country say they see reason for optimism. NBC News reached out to more than 120 members of the Republican National Committee and GOP activists across the country to get a sense of how they view their electoral chances at this point in time. In roughly 30 interviews, these Republicans said they believe the party …

FIFA holds ‘positive’ talks with Iranian football officials on World Cup | World Cup 2026 News

FIFA holds ‘positive’ talks with Iranian football officials on World Cup | World Cup 2026 News

Published by Sam Flores

FIFA offers solutions for each of Iran’s concerns before games in US, Iran’s football chief says. Published On 17 May 202617 May 2026 FIFA Secretary-General Mattias Grafstrom says he held a constructive and positive meeting with ⁠Iran’s football chief, Mehdi ⁠Taj, expressing confidence about the country’s participation at the World Cup. “We’ve had an excellent meeting ⁠and constructive meeting together with the Iran football association,” Grafstrom told the Reuters news agency on Saturday. “We’re working closely together and looking very much forward to welcoming them in the FIFA World Cup.” Iran are scheduled to play all three of their group matches in ⁠the United States, but the team’s participation in the June 11 to July 19 tournament has been in question since the US and Israel began attacking Iran on February 28, sparking a regional conflict. More questions have arisen after the Football Federation Islamic Republic of Iran (FFIRI) President Taj was refused entry to Canada for the FIFA Congress in Vancouver this month. An FFIRI delegation led by Taj turned back upon arrival at …

CIA Director John Ratcliffe met with Raul Castro’s grandson in Havana, US and Cuban officials say : NPR

CIA Director John Ratcliffe met with Raul Castro’s grandson in Havana, US and Cuban officials say : NPR

Published by Sam Flores

FILE – CIA Director John Ratcliffe, accompanied by President Donald Trump, speaks with reporters in the James Brady Press Briefing Room at the White House in Washington, April 6, 2026. Julia Demaree Nikhinson/AP hide caption toggle caption Julia Demaree Nikhinson/AP HAVANA — CIA Director John Ratcliffe met with Cuban officials including Raúl Castro’s grandson during a high-level visit to the island Thursday, Cuban and U.S. officials said. Ratcliffe met with Raúl Guillermo Rodríguez Castro, Interior Minister Lázaro Álvarez Casas and the head of Cuban intelligence services, and discussed intelligence cooperation, economic stability and security issues. A CIA official confirmed the meetings to the AP. Ratcliffe was there “to personally deliver President Donald Trump’s message that the United States is prepared to seriously engage on economic and security issues, but only if Cuba makes fundamental changes,” the CIA official said. An official statement from Cuba’s government noted that Thursday’s meeting “took place … against a backdrop of complex bilateral relations.” While the U.S. stressed that Cuba cannot continue to be a “safe haven for adversaries in …

Ratcliffe meets with Cuban officials as CIA warns negotiation window ‘will not stay open indefinitely’

Ratcliffe meets with Cuban officials as CIA warns negotiation window ‘will not stay open indefinitely’

Published by Sam Flores

CIA Director John Ratcliffe made a trip to Cuba Thursday to meet with officials amid negotiations that have followed President Trump’s public musings that he may invade the island nation. A CIA official also stressed Thursday that the window for negotiations may have a timeline, adding that “the Cubans should have no illusions that the… Source link