Wall Street Journal marks reporter Evan Gershkovich’s year jailed in Russia
Today marks a year since Wall Street Journal reporter Evan Gershkovich was detained in Russia on espionage charges, which he, the newspaper, and the U.S. government strongly refute. To highlight his ongoing imprisonment, today’s Wall Street Journal front page features a significant blank space with the headline, “His story should be here – A year in Russian prison. A year of stolen stories, stolen joys, stolen memories. The crime: journalism.”
President Joe Biden released a statement Friday morning, saying, “As I have told Evan’s parents, I will never give up hope either. We will continue working every day to secure his release. We will continue to denounce and impose costs for Russia’s appalling attempts to use Americans as bargaining chips. And we will continue to stand strong against all those who seek to attack the press or target journalists—the pillars of free society.”
“It’s always a mixed feeling. I’m happy to see him and that he’s doing well, but it’s a reminder that he is not with us. We want him at home,” Gershkovich’s mother, Ella Milman, told The Associated Press.
Emma Tucker, the Journal’s Editor in Chief, expressed admiration for Gershkovich’s resilience and humor in the face of wrongful detention in a letter published in today’s edition.
She emphasized the attack on free press rights and the crucial role of journalism in society. A Russian court recently extended Gershkovich’s detention until June 30, without setting a trial date or presenting evidence to support the espionage allegations.
Pro-Palestinian demonstrators interrupt President Biden’s celebrity-packed fundraising event at Radio City Music Hall. And, The Wall Street Journal marks one year of reporter Evan Gershkovich being held in a Russian prison. These stories and more highlight The Morning Rundown for Friday, March 29, 2024.
High-profile attendees paid up to $500,000 for perks, including a photo op with the presidents by Annie Leibovitz. The event featured celebrities like Mindy Kaling, Stephen Colbert, Lizzo, and Queen Latifah, blending humor with the presidents wearing aviator sunglasses in homage to Biden’s style.
However, it also faced moments of tension as protesters voiced their opposition to Biden’s support for Israel in the Gaza conflict. Outside Radio City Music Hall, a significant number of protesters clashed with police. The three presidents addressed the Gaza war, advocating for a two-state solution and the protection of civilian lives.
To highlight his ongoing imprisonment, today’s Wall Street Journal front page features a significant blank space with the headline, “His story should be here – A year in Russian prison. A year of stolen stories, stolen joys, stolen memories. The crime: journalism.”
Emma Tucker, the Journal’s Editor in Chief, expressed admiration for Gershkovich’s resilience and humor in the face of wrongful detention in a letter published in today’s edition.
She emphasized the attack on free press rights and the crucial role of journalism in society. A Russian court recently extended Gershkovich’s detention until June 30, without setting a trial date or presenting evidence to support the espionage allegations.
Biden admin. approves $60 million in emergency aid after Baltimore bridge collapse
The emergency funds are designated for debris removal, detour arrangements, emergency repairs, and reconstruction.
45 killed in fiery bus crash in South Africa, 8-year-old survives
An 8-year-old child was the sole survivor of a bus crash in South Africa on Thursday that resulted in 45 fatalities. The bus, transporting worshippers to an Easter festival, veered off a bridge in a mountain pass, plunged into a ravine, and caught fire.
The child, who sustained serious injuries, is currently receiving treatment in the hospital.
Authorities indicate that the crash occurred after the driver lost control of the bus. Search operations for the victims are still underway.
House to submit Mayorkas articles of impeachment to Senate
The U.S. House of Representatives plans to deliver two articles of impeachment against Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas to the Senate on April 10.
House Speaker Mike Johnson and 11 GOP impeachment managers have requested Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer to promptly schedule a trial. Impeached federal officials undergo Senate trials to determine their removal.
Mayorkas, impeached last month for allegedly not enforcing U.S. immigration laws and making false statements to Congress, contends he isn’t to blame for the border crisis, attributing it to Congress’ failure to fix a broken immigration system.
Schumer announced that senators will be sworn in as trial jurors after the impeachment articles are delivered. Currently, both the House and Senate are on a two-week recess.
NFL player buys $15k lawn mower after signing record contract
The Eagles, with Dickerson, will kick off their season on September 6 in Brazil, marking the NFL’s first regular season game in the country, where Dickerson is unlikely to bring his new mower.
Tucker Carlson interviewed Putin. How is the media covering the story?
Former Fox News host Tucker Carlson interviewed Russian President Vladimir Putin in a video released Thursday, Feb. 8. It was the first time Putin agreed to sit down with any member of the Western media since the Russia-Ukraine war began.
The interview is getting a lot of attention with different takeaways depending on the outlet reporting it.
Here is how the coverage varies:
Throughout the interview, Putin pointed at Ukraine for failed negotiation talks and claimed the U.S. and Britain had influence over Ukraine’s decision to put an end to the talks. Putin said Russia still has that line open.
This was the focus of several outlets coverage of the interview.
The Hill: Putin says he’s open to negotiating with US over Ukraine war.
Newsweek: Putin Tells Tucker Carlson that Zelensky has the power to bring peace.
Another exchange gained wide coverage after Carlson asked Putin about Wall Street Journal reporter Evan Gershkovich.
Gershkovich has been detained in Russia since March 2023.
The Wall Street Journal: Putin Says He Is Open to Exchange of WSJ’s Evan Gershkovich for Russian Prisoner.
CBS News: Putin signals he’s open to prisoner swap for Wall Street Journal reporter Evan Gershkovich’s release.
Sky News: Tucker Carlson grills Vladimir Putin about imprisoned journalist.
While some headlines centered around what was said during the interview, others focused on interviewer Tucker Carlson as the first 30 minutes of the interview consisted of Putin giving a Russian history lesson that dated back to the 8th century. The lesson was meant to provide context for why Russia believes it has a claim to portions of Ukraine.
Carlson admits he was annoyed and interrupted Putin. However, Putin interrupted back. Media outlets picked up on their dynamic.
The Washington Post: Putin, in rambling interview, barely lets Tucker Carlson get a word in.
BBC News: Tucker Carlson: Putin takes charge as TV host gives free rein to Kremlin.
The Daily Beast: Putin Nearly Bores Tucker Carlson to Death With Two-Hour History Lesson.
Carlson largely got praise from the media for the portion of his interview that pressed Putin on the release of Gershkovich. Other outlets didn’t shy away from criticizing the interview in its entirety.
The Associated Press: Putin uses Tucker Carlson interview to press his Ukraine narrative.
Business Insider: Putin likely chose Carlson because of his ignorance of Russia, it showed.
CNN: Putin walks away with propaganda victory after Tucker Carlson’s softball interview
The interview is a controversial one. Scouring the internet, there are a lot of conversations and split opinions over how much Putin told the truth and how much America should be involved.
Straight Arrow News strives to provide unbiased, fact-based news in addition to offering a comprehensive look at how the media is covering stories that matter most. Learn more about the Media Miss™ tool and decide for yourself.
Zelenskyy fires top general; Putin speaks on possible release of Wall Street Journal reporter
In a major shakeup on Thursday, Feb. 8, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy fired his top general after nearly two years of the country’s war with Russia. In a post on X, Zelenksyy thanked Gen. Valerii Zaluzhnyi for his service but said, “The time for… a renewal is now.”
Zelenskyy has appointed Col. Gen. Oleksandr Syrskyi, the commander of Ukraine’s ground forces, to be the new leader of the army. The change came as the Senate voted to advance a standalone $95 billion national security bill for additional aid to Ukraine, Israel, and other U.S. allies.
Meanwhile, former Fox News host Tucker Carlson posted his interview with Russian President Vladimir Putin to his website and X on Thursday, Feb. 8.
The interview, lasting more than two hours, was Putin’s first with Western media since the start of the war. During the interview, Putin said Russia would be open to a prisoner exchange, which would see the release of Wall Street Journal reporter Evan Gershkovich, who has been detained since March 2023.
Putin repeated Russia’s claims that Gershkovich was guilty of espionage. Allegations that the reporter, the newspaper, and the U.S. government deny. The Wall Street Journal said it was encouraged to see Russia’s desire for a deal.
“Evan is a journalist, and journalism is not a crime. Any portrayal to the contrary is total fiction,” the Journal said. “Evan was unjustly arrested and has been wrongfully detained by Russia for nearly a year for doing his job, and we continue to demand his immediate release.”
Biden defends memory after classified documents report: The Morning Rundown, Feb. 9, 2024
President Biden fires back after a special counsel report questions his memory. And Russian President Vladimir Putin is asked about releasing a Wall Street Journal reporter detained in his country. These stories and more highlight The Morning Rundown for Friday, Feb. 9, 2024.
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Biden defends memory after special counsel report on classified documents
“My memory is fine. My memory – take a look at what I’ve done since I become president,” Biden said. “None of you thought I could pass any of the things I got passed. How’d that happen? You know, I guess I just forgot what was going on.”
While special counsel Robert Hur found that Biden willfully retained and disclosed classified military and national security information, he recommended the president not face any charges. Hur also noted that Biden cooperated with the investigation.In the nearly 400-page report, Biden’s memory was called into question, at times referring to it as “hazy,” “fuzzy,” “faulty,” and having “significant limitations.”
According to Hur, Biden had trouble remembering key dates such as the years he was vice president or when his son Beau died, a claim the president vehemently countered.
“I know there’s some attention paid to some language in the report about my recollection of events,” Biden said. “There’s even reference that I don’t remember when my son died. How in the hell dare he raise that? Frankly, when I was asked the question, I thought to myself it wasn’t any of their damn business.”
“I am well-meaning. And I’m an elderly man. And I know what the hell I’m doing,” Biden said. “I’ve been president — I put this country back on its feet. I don’t need his recommendation.”
Biden calls Israel’s response in Gaza ‘over the top’
After responding to questions about the special counsel’s report, President Biden was asked about the ongoing war between Israel and Hamas and the fighting in Gaza. Biden said Israel’s military response in Gaza has been “over the top,” in what is being considered the president’s sharpest public criticism of Israel’s operations in the territory.
"We are clear in condemning the horrific attacks of Hamas.
We are also clear in condemning the violations of int'l humanitarian law in Gaza.
We need an immediate humanitarian ceasefire.
We also need the immediate & unconditional release of all hostages."
The president said he’s seeking a “sustained pause in the fighting” to help aid Palestinian civilians. Biden said “a lot of innocent people are starving and dying” in Gaza, and “it’s got to stop.” Before Biden’s comments, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu rejected a cease-fire proposal from Hamas, saying the terms were “bizarre.”
Trump wins Nevada caucuses; SCOTUS hears Colorado ballot case
Straight Arrow News political reporter Ray Bogan reported that the justices asked tough questions of both sides, but two of the court’s liberal justices, Elena Kagan and Ketanji Brown Jackson, directed particularly difficult questions to the lawyer representing Colorado’s voters.
“I guess my question is why the framers would have designed a system that would, could result in interim dis-uniformity in this way,” Justice Jackson said. “Where we have elections pending and different states suddenly saying you’re eligible, you’re not, on the basis of this kind of thing.”
Zelenskyy fires top general; Putin speaks on detained WSJ reporter
In a major shakeup on Thursday, Feb. 8, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy fired his top general after nearly two years of the country’s war with Russia. In a post on X, Zelenksyy thanked the outgoing general for his service but said, “The time for… a renewal is now.”
Zelenskyy has appointed the commander of Ukraine’s ground forces to be the new leader of the army. The change came as the Senate voted to advance a standalone $95 billion national security bill for additional aid to Ukraine, Israel, and other U.S. allies.
Today, I made the decision to renew the leadership of the Armed Forces of Ukraine.
I am grateful to General Zaluzhnyi for two years of defense. I appreciate every victory we have achieved together, thanks to all the Ukrainian warriors who are heroically carrying this war on… pic.twitter.com/GBj9gBI0vT
— Volodymyr Zelenskyy / Володимир Зеленський (@ZelenskyyUa) February 8, 2024
Meanwhile, former Fox News host Tucker Carlson posted his interview with Russian President Vladimir Putin to his website and X on Thursday, Feb. 8.
The interview, lasting more than two hours, was Putin’s first with Western media since the start of the war. During the interview, Putin said Russia would be open to a prisoner exchange, which would see the release of Wall Street Journal reporter Evan Gershkovich, who has been detained since March 2023.
Putin repeated Russia’s claims that Gershkovich was guilty of espionage. Allegations that the reporter, the newspaper, and the U.S. government deny. The Wall Street Journal said it was encouraged to see Russia’s desire for a deal.
“Evan is a journalist, and journalism is not a crime. Any portrayal to the contrary is total fiction,” the Journal said. “Evan was unjustly arrested and has been wrongfully detained by Russia for nearly a year for doing his job, and we continue to demand his immediate release.”
Feds offer $10 million reward for info on hive ransomware hackers
On Thursday, Feb. 8, the State Department announced a $10 million reward for anyone who could provide information about the identification and/or location of anyone who holds “a key leadership position in the Hive ransomware variant transnational organized crime group.” According to the State Department, the Hive group has targeted victims in more than 80 countries across over 1,500 institutions, leading to more than $100 million in theft.
Hive Ransomware targeted victims in the United States and globally. Today we are holding them accountable. @StateDept is announcing rewards of up to $15M for information leading to identification, arrest, and/or conviction of key leaders and participants of Hive Ransomware. pic.twitter.com/tjjB3Tx0sB
In 2022, the FBI penetrated Hive’s network, helping prevent more victims from paying up to $130 million in ransoms. The State Department is also offering a reward of $5 million for any information that leads to an arrest of anyone from any country trying to take part in Hive ransomware activity.
Americans to eat 1.45 billion chicken wings on Super Bowl Sunday
Super Bowl Sunday, Feb. 11, is almost here. That means there’s the potential for lots of touchdowns, lots of celebrity-filled commercials, and lots of chicken wings. Make that lots and lots of wings. Americans are expected to eat 1.45 billion wings during the big game. That’s a billion with a “B.”
Regarding Sunday’s matchup, BWW social media admin quipped, “if the game goes to overtime, america will get free wings.” https://t.co/Yf4AjRkjOi
There is a side of good news to go with all those wings. According to the National Chicken Council, the price of wings is down compared to this time last year. The cost of fresh chicken wings is down 5%, and frozen chicken wings are 11% cheaper.
As of January, AARP reports fresh and frozen chicken wings average $3.26 and $3.17 respectively per pound. Just something to chew on as we get closer to kickoff.
Blinken speaks with Paul Whelan: The Rundown Aug. 17, 2023
Secretary of State Antony Blinken spoke with Paul Whelan, and Starbucks was ordered to pay millions of dollars as part of a wrongful termination suit. These stories and more highlight The Rundown for Thursday, Aug. 17, 2023.
Blinken speaks to Paul Whelan by phone
Secretary of State Blinken has spoken by phone with Paul Whelan, the American who is being held in a remote prison camp in Russia. The U.S. government has deemed Whelan is being wrongfully detained after he was sentenced to 16 years on espionage charges he and the U.S. said were fabricated.
Sources told multiple news outlets that Blinken told Whelan the U.S. is doing everything it can to bring him home as soon possible. This is the second time Blinken has spoken to Whelan since he was jailed in 2018.
In addition to speaking with the secretary of state, sources said Whelan was able to call his parents. Blinken said earlier in 2023 that the U.S. had made a “serious proposal” for Whelan’s release, but Moscow has not engaged in any serious negotiations.
The court wanted access to the pill to be limited after finding the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) overstepped its authority in three ways:
Allowing the drug to be taken late in pregnancy
Allowing the drug to be mailed directly to patients
Having medical professionals other than doctors prescribe the pill to women seeking abortions
While the ruling seeks to limit access to Mifepristone, availability will remain unchanged for now. The Justice Department says it will go back to the Supreme Court to appeal the latest ruling.
Fulton County DA recommends Trump trial begin day before Super Tuesday
Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis has put forward the date she would like to see former President Donald Trump’s trial in Georgia to begin. She recommended it start on March 4, 2024.
The date happens to be the day before Super Tuesday, when voters in more than a dozen states cast their ballots for the Republican presidential nomination. Former President Trump’s team has not commented on the proposed date.
The proposed start date will have to be signed off by a judge. Trump’s other state trial in New York begins March 25, 2024.
According to a recent Associated Press poll, Americans are divided in their opinions about Trump’s most recent indictment. About half of Americans believe Trump should be prosecuted. The poll was split along party lines.
Items seized during police raid of newspaper returned
The search warrant was withdrawn after media across the country condemned the raid. The newspaper is sending the seized computers and reporters’ cell phones to a forensics lab to be examined in order to figure out what police did with the electronics.
The Marion County Record’s publisher has promised his paper will continue to operate despite the disruption. It published its first edition since the police raid with the front-page headline reading “Seized but not Silenced.”
“This is the way things go here too often and too often people are brought into silence and intimidated by reactions like this,” Marion County Record Publisher Eric Meyer said on Monday, Aug. 14.
Marion police have said the public doesn’t have all the facts to the story yet. According to police, the raid was related to an ongoing investigation into whether the paper illegally obtained and used personal information about a local business owner.
Starbucks ordered to pay $2.7 million more in wrongful termination suit
Starbucks has been ordered to pay an additional $2.7 million in wage loss damages as part of a wrongful termination suit. The latest ordered payment is in addition to the $25.6 million awarded to former regional director Shannon Phillips in June of 2023.
Phillips, who is white, sued her former employer saying that her race was a factor in Starbucks firing her after the controversial arrests of two black men at a Philadelphia location in 2018 sparked nationwide protests. The two men, who were waiting for a business meeting, were arrested after an employee called 911 saying they were trespassing due to them not ordering anything while inside the store.
Phillips, who worked for Starbucks for 13 years, said she was not at the store when the incident occurred. She was fired the following day.
Starbucks said there was no evidence of intentional discrimination. The two men arrested at the store reached a private settlement with Starbucks and the city.
Chick-fil-A unveils twist to Original Chicken Sandwich
After experimenting for more than a year, Chick-fil-A has created what it calls the first ever twist to its beloved Original Chicken Sandwich. It is called the Honey Pepper Pimento Chicken Sandwich.
The sandwich will feature a chicken filet topped with pimento cheese, pickled jalapenos and honey. The Honey Pepper Pimento Chicken Sandwich will be available at Chick-fil-A restaurants nationwide beginning Monday, Aug. 28.
Biden ‘serious’ about Gershkovich prisoner swap, path unclear
“Oh, I’m serious about a prisoner exchange,” President Biden said. “I’m serious about doing all we can to free Americans who are being illegally held in Russia or anywhere else for that matter. And that process is underway.”
Biden’s comments came more than a week after the Kremlin signaled it was open to more talks about a potential prisoner swap. Where those talks go, however, was still unclear heading into this week.
“I do not want to give false hope. What the Kremlin said earlier this week is correct: There have been discussions,” National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan said Friday, July 7. “But those discussions have not produced a clear pathway to a resolution, and so I cannot stand here today and tell you that we have a clear answer to how we are going to get Evan home. All I can do is tell you that we have a clear commitment and conviction that we will do everything possible to bring him home.”
The same day Biden commented on a Gershkovich prisoner swap, Russian President Vladimir Putin spoke with one of Russia’s top newspapers about the Wagner Group. When asked if he would keep the group as a fighting unit, President Putin said that, in a legal sense, the group doesn’t even exist.
“Wagner does not exist,” Putin said. “There is no law on private military organizations. It just doesn’t exist.”
According to the newspaper interview, Putin said he offered Wagner mercenaries the option of continuing to serve as a single unit under their same commander, Yevgeny Prigozhin, during talks with the group five days after their brief revolt ended on June 24. However, Putin also suggested Prigozhin may be moved aside in favor of a different commander.
“We’re not even sure where he is and what relationship he has. If I were he, I’d be careful what I ate. I’d be keeping my eye on my menu,” Biden said when asked about Prigozhin Thursday. “But all kidding aside, who knows? I don’t know. I don’t think any of us know for sure what the future of Prigozhin is in Russia. And so, I don’t know how to answer that question beyond that.”
FTC looking into ChatGPT’s consumer protections: July 14 rundown
ChatGPT has been ordered by the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) to turn over its records related to consumer protections, and the World Health Organization (WHO) officially released its report on how safe it is to consume an artificial sweetener found in popular diet drinks. These stories and more highlight the rundown for Friday, July 14, 2023.
FTC to investigate ChatGPT’s consumer protections
The FTC revealed it was investigating whether OpenAI’s ChatGPT is harmful to consumers. The commission is specifically looking into whether false information is being generated about consumers, or whether their personal information could be at risk.
As part of its consumer protections investigation, the FTC will dig into ChatGPT’s privacy safeguards and data security practices. The CEO of OpenAI said its technology is safe to use, and they are confident the government watchdog will see the company is following the law.
China finalizes first-of-its-kind AI regulations
While talks of potential AI regulation are still floating around Capitol Hill, China has taken a major step in overseeing the powerful technology. China’s top internet watchdog unveiled a set of new rules on Thursday, July 13 that will apply to AI beginning Aug. 15.
Under the rules, companies will have to be licensed to operate and register any AI algorithms with the Chinese government. AI services in China must also adhere to the “core values of socialism.” With the rules, China becomes one of the first countries in the world to impose AI regulations.
U.S. ‘serious’ about Gershkovich prisoner exchange
Wall Street Journal reporter Evan Gershkovich has been detained in Russia for more than 100 days on espionage charges. President Joe Biden was asked by the press about the idea of a potential prisoner swap in order to free the jailed journalist.
“I’m serious about prisoner exchange,” President Biden said. “I’m serious about doing what we can to free Americans being illegally held in Russia or anywhere else, for that matter. And that process is underway.”
The United States said while talks are underway, there hasn’t been a clear pathway to a resolution.
Gershkovich could face up to a 20-year sentence in a country known for harsh prison camps and conditions.
Putin says Wagner Group ‘does not exist’
The Wagner Group “simply doesn’t exist,” according to Russian President Vladimir Putin. He was speaking in a legal sense, adding that “there is no law on private military organizations.”
President Putin’s comments come as the Defense Department noted a suspension of activity of Wagner forces on the front lines of Russia’s war with Ukraine. Putin said he offered the Wagner mercenaries a chance to continue serving after their failed mutiny in June of 2023.
After the rebellion, Putin met with Wagner Group commanders and had them pledge loyalty. According to the Russian Defense Ministry, the Wagner forces are completing the handover of their weapons to the Russian military.
Hollywood actors officially begin strike
Tens of thousands of actors officially began striking after a strike was unanimously approved by Hollywood’s largest union. While the work stoppage officially began at midnight Friday, signs of a strike could already be seen Thursday, with the cast of the upcoming film “Oppenheimer” walking out of the film’s London premiere.
The actors, represented by the Screen Actors Guild-American Federation of Television and Radio Artists (SAG-AFTRA), now join the Writers Guild of America in a strike that is now over 200,000 people strong. The double-barreled strike is expected to shut down the small number of productions that continued shooting during the writers strike.
“We really didn’t want to strike,” SAG-AFTRA President Fran Drescher said. “We extended an unprecedented amount of time to avert a strike because it’s not lost on us how this will impact not only our members, but people who service our industry, people who are in other unions that are will be affected by this.”
Aspartame officially labeled as possible carcinogen
The WHO’s cancer agency has officially deemed the sweetener aspartame a possible cause of cancer. Aspartame is used in a variety of foods including Diet Coke, chewing gum and desserts. It’s also an ingredient in tabletop sweeteners like Equal and NutraSweet.
The International Agency for Research on Cancer based its conclusion that aspartame is a possible carcinogen on studies in human and animals. The agency found limited evidence that the sweetener may be linked to liver cancer.
In a separate study by another WHO group, it was reaffirmed that aspartame remains safe when consumed below certain daily levels. They say people can safely consume 40 milligrams of aspartame per kilogram of body weight per day. That’s the equivalent of an average adult drinking up to 14 cans of diet soda a day.
MyPillow loses $100 million in revenue, holds auction
MyPillow has begun auctioning off more than 700 pieces of company equipment, ranging from forklifts to office desks and cubicles. MyPillow CEO Mike Lindell, a vocal supporter of Former President Donald Trump, told the Minneapolis Star Tribune his company lost $100 million in revenue due to big retailers halting sales of the company’s products.
Walmart, Kohls, H-E-B and Wayfair are some of the big name retailers who dropped MyPillow products.
US journalist appears in Russian court, denies spying: April 18 rundown
American journalist Evan Gershkovich made an appearance in Russian court seeking an appeal against his detention after Russia charged him with espionage. And Elon Musk could be creating a counter-bot in the wake of artificial intelligence advancements. These stories and more highlight the daily rundown for Tuesday, April 18, 2023.
Journalist detained in Russia appeals case
An American journalist, facing spying charges, appeared in a Russian courtroom on Tuesday, April 18, to appeal against his detention. Even Gershkovich is a Wall Street Journal reporter and the first journalist to face spying charges since the end of the Cold War.
The Kremlin claims the 31-year-old was trying to obtain classified information. Gershkovich, who was seen pacing inside a glass enclosure in court, is trying to clear his name from espionage charges.
The U.S. ambassador to Russia was present in the courtroom with the detained reporter. U.S. leaders, from President Joe Biden to both Republicans and Democratic lawmakers, have called the arrest a wrongful detention.
84-year-old charged in KC shooting
An 84-year-old man is now facing two felony charges for shooting a 16-year-old Black teenager who, according to police, mistakenly went to the wrong home to pick up his siblings.
County prosecutors in Kansas City, Missouri, have issued a warrant for Andrew Lester’s arrest. He is facing two felonies including one that carries a potential life sentence.
Police say the teenager, Ralph Yarl, rang the doorbell, which was followed by two shots fired by Lester. There is no video evidence of what happened at the 84-year-old’s property. According to a probable cause document, Lester said he was scared to death due to the boy’s size. Prosecutors claim there was a racial component to the incident.
Yarl is recovering at home after being released from the hospital.
Dominion versus Fox News lawsuit begins
A $1.6 billion defamation lawsuit against Fox News begins Tuesday, April 18, with jury selection and opening statements. Dominion Voting Systems is suing Fox, claiming the company knowingly spread false claims that the company rigged the 2020 presidential election.
Fox has argued their news coverage is protected by freedom of the press.
The trial is expected to last about six weeks unless there is a last-minute settlement.
Search engine competition hits Google stock
Google’s parent company, Alphabet, watched its stock slide as much as 4% on Monday. It erased about $55 billion in market value after a report from the New York Times suggested that competition is heating up in the mobile search market.
The report said that Samsung is considering replacing Google with Microsoft’s Bing search as the default search-engine across its lineup of devices. But the switch could put about $3 billion in annual revenue at risk for Alphabet. And investors caught on.
Microsoft has incorporated OpenAI’s ChatGPT into its Bing search, peaking consumer interest. Google has been facing increased competition in search for the first time in decades. Google controls about 90% of the search market.
April 18 is deadline to file taxes
The deadline to file taxes with the IRS is Tuesday, April 18. Those who need more time can request an extension, and that would last until Oct. 16.
So far, more than 200 million people have filed their taxes this year, according to the latest data on the IRS website.
About 60% of households are slated to owe federal income taxes this year, an increase from the last two years because of the expiration of pandemic-era tax breaks and stimulus programs.
Musk’s TruthGPT idea to counter AI bias
There’s been a recent wave of concern over artificial intelligence and the impacts it could have on humanity. In an interview with Fox News, Elon Musk reiterated those fears. He said AI is “more dangerous” than cars or rockets and said it has the potential to destroy humans. He said he wants to create a good bot to stand up to its counter-bots. He would call it TruthGPT.
It’s a similar mission he had taking over Twitter. He claims chatbots are biased and, along with other critics, believe AI could one day be used as a powerful propaganda tool with its creative deception. Musk says TruthGPT would be able to detect the lies.
Russia, China jail media as despots continue crackdowns
Authoritarian governments, like those in Russia and China, have renewed their commitments to media suppression with high-profile crackdowns on media stationed within their borders. Russia and China have collaborated closely on disseminating propaganda under the guise of journalism while also employing similar methods to deal with voices of dissent.
Russian journalist Vladimir Kara-Murza was sentenced to 25 years in a high-security prison on charges of treason for criticizing the war in Ukraine. He denies any wrongdoing and believes the case against him is politically motivated due to his “many years of fighting against [Russian President Vladimir] Putin’s dictatorship.”
“I’m in jail for my political views. For speaking out against the war in Ukraine,” Kara-Murza said. “Not only do I not repent of any of this, I am proud of it. For a person who has not committed any crimes, acquittal would be the only fair verdict, but I do not ask this court for anything. I know the verdict.”
Kara-Murza was a target of two poisoning attacks between 2015 and 2017, both of which Russia’s government denied any role in. Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov refused to comment on this latest verdict, telling reporters that the government never comments “on court decisions, and we will not do so this time, either.”
“Twenty-five [year sentence] for words. They don’t even sentence you to that long for murder,” said Ivan Pavlov, one of Russia’s top human rights lawyers. “The temperature is rising, the sentences are growing longer. This is indicative of a war.”
Kara-Murza’s trial, held behind closed doors, came as American officials were finally granted access to Wall Street Journal reporter Evan Gershkovich, who was arrested in Russia at the end of March on accusations of spying for the U.S. government. U.S. Ambassador to Russia Lynne Tracy visited the reporter in Moscow’s Lefortovo prison on Monday, April 17 and has called for the “immediate release” of both Gershkovich and Kara-Murza.
“The right to have political opinions, or to disagree with the decisions of one’s own government, are fundamental freedoms enshrined in both the Russian constitution and international treaties to which Russia is a party,” Tracy said in a statement regarding Kara-Murza’s sentence. “This ruling is an attempt to silence dissent in this country and to make an example of those with the courage to offer an alternative to the policies of the Russian government.”
In China, prominent political commentator Xu Zhiyong was arrested and sentenced to 14 years in prison for his alleged crimes, including publishing an opinion piece critical of Chinese President Xi Jinping. Xu was reportedly subjected to various methods of torture during his detention, including food and sleep deprivation. His defense lawyers were barred from speaking to the media, and sharing the court verdict could result in their law licenses being revoked by the government.
“It shows Beijing is doing everything it can to punish human rights advocates and using cruel methods to crush China’s civil rights movement,” said Teng Biao, a Chinese human rights lawyer who has known Xu for two decades.
These cases are part of a larger issue concerning free press in China and Russia. Since the invasion of Ukraine, almost all independent media in Russia has been banned or blocked, while all state media outlets are subject to military censorship. China is also the world’s largest captor of journalists, ranking 175th out of 180 in the 2022 Reporters Without Borders World Press Freedom Index.