Prosecutors dropped all charges against “Empire” actor Jussie Smollett, despite acknowledging that Smollett fabricated a street attack on himself, in order to focus resources on violent crimes, Cook County first assistant state attorney Joe Magats said in an interview Tuesday with ABC Chicago station WLS. In addition, since Smollett had […]
ABC News
China to buy 300 Airbus planes in a huge blow to Boeing
The Chinese aviation industry is investing in 300 Airbus planes, delivering a blow to Boeing as the American company continues to deal with the fallout from the safety issues related to two recently downed 737 jets. China Aviation Supplies Holding Company (CAS), a Chinese leasing company, will buy a total […]
Sackler family pausing donations as top museums cut ties to OxyContin maker
A major philanthropic family trust is suspending all donations in the wake of an opioid scandal enveloping the family behind the trust — as some of the world’s most prominent museums which receive their donations have begun to announce that they would no longer accept the trust’s charity. The Sackler […]
Prize-winning show dog found after vanishing at airport for 3 days
The prize-winning show dog that disappeared in one of the world’s busiest airports for three days after being checked in for a flight has been found. Gale, a pure-bred American Staffordshire terrier whose owners live in Amsterdam, has been found and reunited with her family, the Hartsfield–Jackson Atlanta International Airport […]
Trump administration limits on global health funds tied to abortion
The Trump administration is expanding its restrictions on U.S. funding for international health care providers and non-profits that perform or promote abortion, Secretary of State Mike Pompeo announced Tuesday. It’s an expansion on what is already the widest implementation yet of the so-called “Mexico City policy” — one that has […]
NY county issues measles state of emergency, bans unvaccinated minors from public
A county in New York has declared a state of emergency after more than 100 people have been diagnosed with measles. Rockland County officials announced that starting at 12 a.m. on Wednesday, anyone under 18 who has not yet been vaccinated will be barred from public places until they receive […]
El Chapo seeks new trial, citing jury misconduct
Defense attorneys asked a federal judge Tuesday to grant a new trial to the Mexican drug lord known as El Chapo, saying jurors improperly followed media coverage of the sensational drug conspiracy case. Joaquin Guzman’s defense team said in court filings that jurors repeatedly disregarded instructions to avoid the “blizzard […]
Utah bans abortions after 18 weeks, teeing up legal showdown
Utah Gov. Gary Herbert has signed a law banning most abortions after 18 weeks of gestation, setting the stage for a legal showdown. Though the Republican governor said the measure signed late Monday strikes a balance, opponents said it is unconstitutional and promised to sue. The law is expected to […]
Bump stock ban looms as request for temporary emergency stay denied
Bump stocks, devices that allow a semiautomatic firearm to shoot more than one shot with a single pull of the trigger, will be banned in the United States starting Tuesday, despite an emergency request by gun owners to temporarily stop the Trump administration’s ban while cases challenging the ban are […]
Justice Department sides with lower court, says Obamacare should end
The U.S. Department of Justice said it supports a federal judge’s ruling that the entire Affordable Care Act should be overturned, signaling a major shift in the Trump administration’s stance on the Obama-era federal health care law. “The Department of Justice has determined that the district court’s judgment should be […]