Latest news with #WhatToKnow
Newsweek
25-05-2025
- Newsweek
Crime Podcaster Convicted of Felony Crimes
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. Ashli Ford, a true crime podcaster based in Eerie County, Ohio could end up in prison after being convicted on multiple felony charges, following a Facebook post which threatened public officials. Newsweek has reached out to the Eerie County Sheriff's Office via email for comment. Why It Matters Ford is the host of ALLEGEDLY: with Ashli Ford, in which she discusses legal cases and controversies. The podcast's description reads: "Through in-depth investigative journalism and compelling interviews, we tackle political corruption, dark media, corporate scandals, human trafficking and more. Our goal is not only to unveil these injustices but also to inspire action and drive positive change." Stock image showing police tape. Stock image showing police tape. GettyImages/JaysonPhotography Though true crime podcasts have at times played a crucial role in advancing criminal investigations there have been tensions between true crime podcasts and law enforcement in the past. Officials have expressed concern about a lack of formal training, and there is an apprehension that podcasters might not always grasp the nuances of criminal investigations or the implications of publicizing sensitive information. What To Know Ford, 40, was found guilty on Thursday, May 22nd on four counts of intimidation stemming from a 19-count indictment, according to court documents obtained by the outlet WTOL. Sixteen of the charges were felonies, including intimidation, extortion and telecommunications fraud. The other three were misdemeanor falsification charges. Ford was acquitted of these remaining 15 counts. Each of the third-degree felony intimidation convictions carry a sentence of between 9 to 36 months in prison under Ohio law, as well as a fine of up to $10,000. These charges are linked to a Facebook post Ford made on September 22, 2023. In this post, she accused several Norwalk city officials of corruption including Mayor David Light, law director Stuart O'Hara, safety and service director Michael White and former police chief David Smith, all of whom testified for the prosecution during the trial. The post read in part, "I will slowly crumble the reputation [of] every single person who stands in the way of justice," "I will escort you to your demise in a manner more akin to Malcolm X than Martin Luther King Jr," and "This is your VERY LAST opportunity to end this in a respectable manner." The post was seen as an attempt to intimidate public officials and witnesses who were involved in a criminal case against Ford, as per WTOL, who reported that at the time the post was made, Ford was facing two criminal falsification charges in Norwalk Municipal Court, following allegations of corruption and evidence planting within the Norwalk Police Department. She was acquitted of these. What People Are Saying Ashli Ford, in a Facebook post on May 23: "I am honored to be your voice! Thank you so much for being mine. Your support means everything to me. I am okay. God built me to withstand storms like this. I continue to walk in faith and without an ounce of fear. The actions throughout my life will always defend me." What's Next Ford is due in court for sentencing on Wednesday, July 16.
Newsweek
20-05-2025
- Politics
- Newsweek
Five Supreme Court Justices Sit Out Case in Rare Move
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. The U.S. Supreme Court affirmed a lower court's dismissal of a copyright lawsuit against writer Ta-Nehisi Coates on Monday after five justices recused themselves from hearing the appeal, leaving the court without a quorum. According to the order released on Monday, Justices Samuel Alito, Sonia Sotomayor, Neil Gorsuch, Amy Coney Barrett and Ketanji Brown Jackson did not participate in considering the petition, effectively ending the case at the appellate level. Newsweek has contacted the Supreme Court for comment. Why It Matters The incident marks the highest number of justices sitting out a Supreme Court case since the court adopted a formal code of conduct in 2023. With no quorum, the ruling of the lower appellate court, which rejected allegations that Coates plagiarized from Ralph W. Baker's book Shock Exchange, remains in force. The incident has put renewed focus on judicial ethics and financial conflicts of interest, an issue under public scrutiny following recent disclosures about justices' lucrative book deals and gifts. The Supreme Court sitting for a group portrait in Washington, D.C., on October 7, 2022. The Supreme Court sitting for a group portrait in Washington, D.C., on October 7, 2022. AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite, File What To Know The rare mass recusal halted the court's ability to review Baker v. Coates, which involved allegations of plagiarism against Coates and several entities connected to his book The Water Dancer. The justices did not publicly explain their reasons for recusal. Michael Gerhardt, the Burton Craige distinguished professor of jurisprudence at the University of North Carolina, told Newsweek of another instance when justices' recusals left no quorum. "In 1945, all the Supreme Court justices recused themselves in a case called U.S. v. Aluminum Co. of America," Gerhardt said. "Congress had to pass a special law that authorized the 2nd Circuit of Appeals to render the final judgment in the matter, and Judge Learned Hand's opinion for the appellate court is widely regarded as one of his best (and the only opportunity he would have to make a decision that was effectively a Supreme Court decision)." He said the public would likely not know why the justices recused themselves from Baker v. Coates unless the justices chose to disclose that information. "But here, it appears the justices had recused themselves because they had book deals with the same publisher as is involved in the current case before the Court," Gerhardt said. A party in the case owns Penguin Random House, which has published or plans to publish books by Sotomayor, Gorsuch, Barrett and Jackson. Alito, whose published works have not been associated with Penguin Random House, also recused himself from the proceeding. Baker filed a suit in 2022 alleging that Coates' The Water Dancer plagiarized content from his Shock Exchange: How Inner-City Kids From Brooklyn Predicted the Great Recession and the Pain Ahead. A federal district court dismissed the case, and the dismissal was upheld on appeal, with the courts finding that the works had little in common beyond broad subject matter. Despite the Supreme Court's adoption of a formal ethics code in 2023, many advocacy groups have called for further reforms, such as mandated transparency about justices' reasons for withdrawal and stronger enforcement mechanisms. The current code encourages recusal in the case of direct financial interest but does not compel justices to explain such decisions publicly. What People Are Saying Michael Gerhardt, a law professor at the University of North Carolina, told Newsweek: "Unless the justices tell us why they have recused themselves, we generally would not know." Gabe Roth, the executive director of Fix the Court, told The Washington Post: "Credit where credit is due. For the code to work, the justices would have to do things they wouldn't normally have, and that appears to be the case here." What Happens Next With only four justices remaining, the court could not form the statutory quorum of six needed to hear the case. Supreme Court rules require that the lower court's decision, which found no substantial similarity between Baker's and Coates' works, be allowed to stand. Do you have a story that Newsweek should be covering? Do you have any questions about this story? Contact LiveNews@
Newsweek
15-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Newsweek
Michelle Obama Reveals Parenting Move Barack Disagreed With—'I Was Wrong'
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. Michelle Obama revealed a parenting move that her husband, Barack Obama, disagreed with during a recent episode of her podcast IMO With Michelle Obama & Craig Robinson. Newsweek reached out to Barack Obama's representative via email for comment. The Context Barack Obama, 63, was the 44th President of the United States from 2009 until 2017. He and Michelle Obama, 61, wed in 1992 and welcomed daughters Malia Obama, 26, in 1998 and Sasha Obama, 23, in 2001. The family lived at the White House throughout his presidency. In March, Michelle Obama announced her new podcast with her older brother, Craig Robinson. At the time, the former first lady wrote via Instagram: "Every week, Craig and I will be joined by a special guest as we try to grapple with life's biggest questions." File photo: From left, Malia, Sasha, Barack and Michelle Obama speak onstage at the TNT Christmas in Washington 2014 at the National Building Museum on December 14, 2014 in Washington, D.C. File photo: From left, Malia, Sasha, Barack and Michelle Obama speak onstage at the TNT Christmas in Washington 2014 at the National Building Museum on December 14, 2014 in Washington, D.C. Kevin Mazur/WireImage What To Know On the newest episode of IMO, which was released on Wednesday, Michelle Obama and Robinson spoke with soccer star Abby Wambach and her wife, author Glennon Doyle, about the difficulties of parenting. "Sometimes, I did overkill on the parenting of trying to be normal," Michelle Obama told listeners, before sharing that she once punished Malia Obama for "a whole semester," which Barack Obama questioned. "It was too much, right?" she polled her guests. "That's a lot," Wambach said. "Did she do something—like, did she murder a human?" "No, she didn't murder a human. She did teenage stuff," Michelle Obama said. "But, you know, every time something happened and they're teenagers in the White House, I'm thinking, 'oh my God, this is a sign, they're going to be on the street; they're going to be addicts; and this is really going to mess them up.'" The attorney added that she "put down the hammer," though it didn't initially start out as a full semester. "First, it was a month, and then I let her off, and then she didn't make curfew or did something like that." Michelle Obama noted that she would have "lectures" prepared, but Malia knew exactly what to say. "She understood how to just look me in the eye and go, 'You're right, mom. I don't know what got into me. You're so right.'" The mom of two felt like she was being "punked," which is why the punishment was extended. "Barack, he's trying to be the president but also trying to be a good parent, and he's, like, 'Yeah, whatever your mom says,' although he's looking at me, like, 'A semester?!' I was like, 'I said a semester, and I cannot go back on it.'" Later on in the podcast, Michelle Obama said she "was wrong." "That was too long. It didn't work, it didn't have the desired effect, but I was learning is my point." The Chicago native added that she was in a "strange position" where she "didn't have any role models" of people with kids in high school in the White House whose father was the first Black president. "I was kind of flying blind on this," Michelle added. Much to the annoyance of Malia, however, Michelle said she went easier on Sasha, who was "rarely on punishment" because she learned from her mistakes. "The broader point is that sometimes our guilt, our issues, get in the way of our parenting." What People Are Saying In the comments underneath the podcast on YouTube, fans thanked Michelle Obama and Robinson. YouTube user @Jps277 wrote: "Great conversation on real life issues. Thanks Michelle & Craig. We also hope to see Barack on one of these episodes." @09karolita said: "Some of my favorite people in one podcast!!!!!!!!!! Thank you, Thank you, Thank you!!!!!!!!!!!!!!" @juliemack791 posted: "Great topic, great discussion, great advice. I'm really enjoying this podcast with Michelle and Craig." @amandahiggs3691 added: "Love this podcast & the topics discussed! Thank you." @Letsgo89765 shared: "Absolutely loving this new avatar of our former First Lady, hearing her voice, her brilliance, her genuine thoughts. She is truly amazing! Love her perspective on every day things that we all think about not just politics. Thank you Mrs. Obama for doing this with your brother, showing what healthy family relationships are like." What Happens Next New episodes of IMO With Michelle Obama & Craig Robinson are released on Wednesdays on platforms including Spotify, Apple Podcasts and YouTube.
Newsweek
15-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Newsweek
Russian State TV Launches Patriotic Kids Show Featuring Toddler Trump
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. Kremlin propagandist Vladimir Solovyov is launching a children's show featuring animated toddler versions of world leaders—including President Donald Trump and North Korean leader Kim Jong Un—which he claims will instil patriotism in young viewers from an early age. Solovyov, a prominent Russian state TV host and close ally of Russian President Vladimir Putin, announced show's debut on social media Wednesday. Why It Matters The show will air on Russian state TV and will therefore mirror the Kremlin's talking points and agenda. Solovyov himself is known for his hawkish views of the West and for repeatedly threatening that Russia could strike NATO member states. What To Know Kremlin propagandist Vladimir Solovyov's SolovyovLive project says it is launching SolovyovKids, a children's propaganda TV service where "patriotism is instilled from an early age, and analytical thinking develops even before the first year at school" — Francis Scarr (@francis_scarr) May 15, 2025 Solovyov, one of the most prominent figures in Kremlin-backed media, announced the launch of the kids show on his Telegram channel on Wednesday, describing it as "an ambitious step into the future, where political awareness starts in infancy." It "opens the door to the world of big politics for young audiences," the propagandist said. The show, he said, is "not just a program, it is a master class on the current agenda in a format understandable to children." "Where else can kids discuss geopolitics with the same ease as conflicts over a shovel in the sand?" he wrote. "SolovyovKids is when patriotism is instilled from an early age, and analytical thinking develops even before first grade. It's time to rethink children's television." Solovyov's announcement was accompanied by an animated video in which characters resembling the toddler versions of world leaders, including Putin, Trump, Kim, French President Emmanuel Macron and Turkish leader Recep Tayyip Erdogan, participate in a group video call. The clip also features a baby version of SpaceX and Tesla CEO Elon Musk, seen playing with a toy Cybertruck—one of Tesla's flagship vehicles. In the animation, mini Erdogan invites the group to "vacation in Istanbul," while toddler Macron is told that he will not be invited because he is "always with his grandmother"—a thinly veiled jab at Macron's wife, who is 24 years his senior. What People Are Saying BBC journalist Francis Scarr posted the video on X (formerly Twitter), writing: "Kremlin propagandist Vladimir Solovyov's SolovyovLive project says it is launching SolovyovKids, a children's propaganda TV service where 'patriotism is instilled from an early age, and analytical thinking develops even before the first year at school.'" X user Tetiana wrote: "Solovyov launched SolovyovKids — because why wait till adulthood to rot your brain? First show is "Pesochnitsa"(Sandbox): cartoon putin cracks jokes, Kim Jong-un dunks on Macron. It's like day care in North Korea with russian flavor." What Happens Next It's unclear when the new show will launch on Russian state TV.
Newsweek
14-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Newsweek
Michelle Obama Reveals 'Deal' In Barack Marriage
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. Michelle Obama revealed a "deal" she has with her husband, Barack Obama, that "started very early" on in their marriage. Newsweek reached out to Barack Obama's representative via email for comment. The Context Democrat Barack Obama, 63, was the 44th President of the United States from 2009 until 2017. He and Michelle Obama, 61, got married on October 3, 1992, and they have two children together—daughters Malia Obama, 26, and Sasha Obama, 23. Barack Obama and wife Michelle Obama walk to the White House in Washington, D.C, on December 14, 2011 upon returning from Fort Bragg, North Carolina, where they met with U.S. troops. Barack Obama and wife Michelle Obama walk to the White House in Washington, D.C, on December 14, 2011 upon returning from Fort Bragg, North Carolina, where they met with U.S. troops. EWEL SAMAD/AFP via Getty Images What To Know Michelle Obama appeared on Amy Poehler's new podcast, Good Hang with Amy Poehler, which was released on Tuesday. During the episode, the pair spoke about love languages, and for the Obamas, that's teasing one another. "Both Barack and Craig will say that I don't let them tease me," the former first lady said of her husband and older brother, Craig Robinson. "See we have a deal—Barack and I in our marriage—and it started very early. It's like, 'I can tease you, but you cannot tease me.'" Poehler said that Barack Obama "likes to tease," but Michelle Obama added that when she and her daughters get together, the politician "doesn't stand a chance." "We mercilessly go after him," the IMO with Michelle Obama & Craig Robinson podcast host said. "So yes, teasing is our love language, which I tell him that," Michelle Obama noted. "I said, 'When I tease you... it's like a love tap.'" Poehler agreed and said that "the more you know someone, the more safe you feel around them, the more you can poke." "Manners are for people we don't really know," the Saturday Night Live star teased. What People Are Saying In the comments underneath the podcast on Spotify, fans praised the interview. Spotify user Katelyn Corp said: "The sound I made when I saw that your guest this week was MICHELLE OBAMA????? AMY???? Amazing hang!!!!!!!" Gene wrote: "the joy that sparked in my heart when i saw a new episode from amy.... WITH MICHELLE OBAMA. wow. this episode was amazing and had me laughing out loud. i guess i'll learn to read so i can read their books." Alex Victoria added: "Michelle Obama might in fact be the most likable person on the planet. She doesn't try at it either. Actually, Amy too. This episode is a like-splosion. I feel like I'm eating candy." shared: "I have never been an avid podcast listener - maybe an episode or two and then I'm bored. Amy, I am OBSESSED with your show. I've listened to every episode and I am hooked!! Thank you for being my weekly reprieve from life. I love you and your show. This was such a good hang!" What Happens Next New episodes of Good Hang with Amy Poehler are released on Tuesdays on platforms like Spotify, Apple Podcasts and YouTube. New episodes of IMO with Michelle Obama & Craig Robinson are released on Wednesdays on the same platforms.
