News Brief #11
Trump hush money trial update
Former US President Donald Trump is in the 5th stage of his criminal trial prosecution case. His former attorney Micheal Cohen is set to testify on allegation s that Trump broke the law by falsifying business records to reimburse Cohen. During cross-examination , Trump's attorney Todd Blanche was able to highlight inconsistencies in Cohen's account, sowing reasonable doubt about his truthfulness. This pivotal moment has left the prosecution facing a stiff challenge in repairing the damage to Cohen's credibility during their redirect examination. As the trial hurtles toward its climax, with the jury potentially deliberating as soon as after Memorial Day, the outcome remains far from certain, with legal experts cautioning that "it only takes one juror" to prevent a conviction.
Panera Bread removing lemonade due to lawsuits
Panera Bread is taking its highly caffeinated “Charged Lemonade” drinks off the menu following multiple lawsuits alleging that the drinks lead to many health problems and even death. The lawsuits claim the drinks contain dangerously high levels of caffeine, with a large 30-ounce serving containing as much as 390 milligrams - the equivalent of nearly two venti-sized Starbucks iced coffees. The company is now replacing these popular drinks with lower-caffeine and lower-sugar options, such as blueberry lavender lemonade and pomegranate hibiscus tea.
Flying cars in the works by Florida company
At the Synapse Summit in Tampa , Florida entrepreneurs are making bold predictions about the impending arrival of electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) vehicles, or "flying cars," in the Tampa Bay area. Santh Sathya, CEO of LuftCar in Orlando, revealed plans to launch hubs for his autonomous flying vehicles in both Tampa and Miami. These vehicles would utilize a combination of hydrogen and electric power, aiming to change the way people and goods are transported across the region. Moderator Chuck Martin , who recently published a book on the emerging eVTOL industry, told the crowd, "This is going to change how things are moved.” While some challenges around piloting and regulatory barriers still remain, the consensus among Florida tech entrepreneurs is that flying vehicles will become the norm sooner rather than later.
Dublin-New York portal
The Dublin-New York Portal, a public art project aimed at connecting citizens on both sides of the Atlantic, has faced its fair share of challenges since its inception. After a successful initial launch that saw families and friends dancing, singing, and waving to each other in real time, the portal soon became a target for inappropriate and disruptive behavior. The council has since implemented new measures to mitigate these issues, including proximity-based software that blurs the stream if individuals obstruct the camera, increased security presence at the New York site, and set operating hours to better manage the flow of visitors. The artist behind the project, Benediktas Gylys, has also appealed to visitors to consider what a seven-year-old would want to see on the other side and behave accordingly.
The New Miss USA controversy
In the wake of the recent resignations of Miss USA 2023 Noelia Voigt and Miss Teen USA 2023 UmaSofia Srivastava, the Miss USA Organization has crowned a new titleholder - Savannah Gankiewicz of Hawaii. Gankiewicz, who was the first runner-up in last year's Miss USA pageant, was crowned on May 15th in a ceremony attended by Hawaii's Governor Josh Green. The new Miss USA acknowledged the controversy surrounding the organization, stating that "all involved with the Miss USA Organization have their own unique experiences." Gankiewicz expressed her support for Voigt's decision to step down, saying she "fully support[s] and respect[s] Noelia's decision to step down, and [she] stand[s] in solidarity with mental health awareness." However, Voigt had also alleged a "toxic work environment" and instances of "bullying and harassment" within the organization, issues that Gankiewicz did not directly address. As the organization faces calls for increased transparency and reform from former titleholders, Gankiewicz pledged to support future Miss USA contestants and ensure a smooth transition for the incoming class of 2024.
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