Author: Amnewsworld

A trove of emails made public by the U.S. House Oversight Committee this week offers an unprecedented look at the influence Jeffrey Epstein continued to wield across global political, business and academic circles for more than a decade after his 2008 conviction for soliciting prostitution from a minor. The documents, spanning from 2009 to early 2019, show Epstein actively communicating with prominent figures across the political spectrum from linguist Noam Chomsky to former Trump strategist Steve Bannon  despite being a registered sex offender. The messages reveal interactions ranging from political gossip and travel plans to advice requests, introductions and even…

Oakland was shaken on Friday following the death of John Beam, the celebrated former football coach featured in Netflix’s “Last Chance U,” who was fatally shot on the Laney College campus where he worked. Police confirmed that the 66-year-old, known for mentoring players overlooked by others, died a day after being rushed to hospital. Authorities say the suspect who knew and targeted Beam has been arrested. The individual, whose name has not been released, was taken into custody without resistance, and a firearm was recovered. Investigators said the suspect previously played football at a high school where Beam once worked,…

A wildlife photographer on a whale-watching trip in the Salish Sea captured a tense and extraordinary moment when a harbor seal escaped a coordinated killer-whale hunt by climbing onto the stern of her boat. Charvet Drucker was on a rented 20-foot vessel about 40 miles northwest of Seattle when she spotted a pod of at least eight orcas closing in on a lone seal. Their synchronized tail slaps and tight formation signaled an active hunt. At one point, Drucker’s zoom lens caught the seal hurled through the air as the orcas churned the water beneath it. As the chase intensified,…

A confidential data breach inside Fannie Mae has triggered a political and regulatory storm, raising concerns about improper influence, potential collusion and escalating tension within the U.S. housing sector. According to internal emails reviewed by the Associated Press, a close ally of Federal Housing Finance Agency (FHFA) Director Bill Pulte obtained sensitive mortgage pricing data and shared it with Freddie Mac a key competitor prompting alarm among senior Fannie Mae officials. The information was provided by Lauren Smith, Fannie Mae’s head of marketing, who acted “as per Director Pulte’s ask,” according to an Oct. 11 email. The disclosure included confidential…

Finland’s Parliament has passed new restrictions on citizenship eligibility, tightening financial and legal requirements for applicants and barring those who have relied on social welfare for more than three months within two years. The legislation approved by a vote of 103 to 58 forms the second phase of the government’s ongoing reform of the Citizenship Act, led by Interior Minister Mari Rantanen of the Finns Party. The reform seeks to ensure that applicants demonstrate financial independence and commitment to Finnish society. Under the new law, citizenship applications will be rejected if the applicant has received unemployment or subsistence benefits for…

Finland’s opposition parties have issued a rare joint appeal to Prime Minister Petteri Orpo, urging him to open immediate cross-party talks aimed at stabilizing the country’s ailing social and health service system, known as sote. The call came shortly after the government reaffirmed its intention to continue reforms during the current parliamentary term. Orpo confirmed that the Ministry of Social Affairs and Health is preparing a detailed report on the status of the system, with a formal statement expected at the start of the spring session. “The process will continue into the next term, and parliament will have an opportunity…

Police in Rotterdam have arrested an 18-year-old man from Ridderkerk on suspicion of sexually assaulting several women and girls in both Rotterdam and Ridderkerk. The suspect allegedly targeted victims while riding a scooter, with attacks reported between July and late October. Authorities say the man is believed to have harassed women in his hometown since the end of October, with victims ranging in age from 11 to 24 years old. “Last summer, women were also targeted by a man on a scooter who harassed them in the same area. Police believe this may be the same suspect,” a Rotterdam police…

Three original paintings by beloved television artist Bob Ross sold for a combined $662,000 at a Bonhams auction in Los Angeles, with proceeds directed toward helping U.S. public television stations affected by recent federal funding cuts. The sale marked the first batch of 30 Ross works to go under the hammer in a campaign benefiting PBS stations struggling to cover licensing fees for classic programs. Ross, famed for his gentle voice and “happy little trees,” hosted The Joy of Painting from 1983 to 1994, becoming a cultural icon of calm creativity. The highlight of the auction, a snow-filled landscape titled…

The U.S. Supreme Court on Tuesday extended an existing order blocking the full distribution of Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits, prolonging uncertainty for millions of low-income Americans even as Congress moves closer to ending the historic government shutdown. The decision maintains a chaotic patchwork across the country with some states having distributed full food aid while others have yet to issue payments. The ruling means the status quo will remain in place for several more days while the justices review pending legal challenges. The impasse stems from the Trump administration’s decision to halt SNAP funding after October, a move…

The U.S. Senate on Monday approved legislation aimed at reopening the federal government, marking a decisive step toward ending the longest shutdown in American history. The measure received bipartisan backing after weeks of political deadlock, clearing the chamber with a 60–40 majority. The breakthrough came as a small group of Democrats agreed to support the deal after mounting pressure from constituents, economic disruptions, and internal divisions within their party. The concession came despite sharp criticism from several Democratic leaders who had insisted Republicans reopen negotiations on extending key health care tax credits set to expire on January 1. Frustrations had…