Author: Darnell Thompkins

A federal jury awarded the family of a United Nations consultant more than $28 million after finding Boeing responsible in the 2018 crash of a 737 Max in Ethiopia that killed their relative. The verdict came in federal court after testimony and evidence linked the design and certification of the Boeing 737 Max to the March 2019 Ethiopia crash that killed all on board, including the United Nations consultant. Jurors examined technical details and internal communications while weighing responsibility for a jet that had become central to global aviation scrutiny. The award exceeds $28 million and reflects both compensatory damages…

The U.S. ended production of the penny Wednesday, abandoning the 1-cent coins that were embedded in American culture for more than 230 years as symbols of frugality and the price of a person’s th

China’s heightened focus on Taiwan has spilled into global diplomacy this week, driving tensions across two continents after Beijing reacted angrily to a surprise speech on Friday in Brussels by a top Taiwanese politician. The incident keeps Taiwan at the center of a larger contest between democratic partners and an authoritarian government testing international norms. Beijing’s headline-grabbing response to that Brussels appearance shows how sensitive China is to any visible advance of Taiwan’s diplomatic profile. The furious rhetoric from Chinese officials is meant to intimidate partners and shape how capitals behave in public settings. From a Republican perspective, that kind…

The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, a Wall Street cop signed into law by President Obama, faces a funding crisis after the Justice Department found its financing method unlawful, putting its future operations and enforcement work at risk. The CFPB was created to police banks and protect consumers, but its funding model has long been controversial because it bypassed Congress. The bureau draws money from Federal Reserve earnings rather than relying on annual appropriations, which critics argue shields it from accountability. Now the Justice Department’s legal finding threatens that steady stream of cash, leaving the agency’s budget in doubt. If the…

The U.S. bishops will meet in Baltimore to pick a new president and vice president, and that vote will shape how the conference talks, what it prioritizes, and how it deals with public issues facing the Church. The meeting in Baltimore has the feel of a crossroads, with bishops casting votes that will steer the Conference’s tone for the next three years. This election matters beyond titles because the president sets agendas, steers public statements, and decides which issues get airtime. Bishops from across the country will weigh experience, pastoral temperament, and where each candidate stands on hot-button topics. At…

The Camp Mystic tragedy in Texas left 25 girls and two teenage counselors dead after catastrophic flooding on July 4, and operators are accused of failing to take necessary steps to protect the campers. The scene at Camp Mystic turned deadly when flash flooding struck on July 4, taking the lives of 25 girls and two teenage counselors. Families, first responders, and local leaders have been left grappling with the scale of loss and the speed at which a planned outing became a disaster. Emergency crews described conditions as chaotic, with rescue and recovery operations stretched by rising water and…

President Trump publicly pushed back against Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene after she criticized him and the party for focusing heavily on foreign affairs, saying “she lost her way” and highlighting a larger disagreement about priorities within the Republican ranks. President Trump did not shy away from calling out a fellow Republican over internal criticism, and he used plain language to draw a line. His comment — “she lost her way” — underscored a disagreement about tactics and tone rather than a policy detail. Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene has been outspoken about what she sees as a misplaced emphasis on international…

Some overseas outlets have admitted a role in framing Donald Trump as the central villain of Jan. 6, yet in the United States many mainstream newsrooms walked away from the story rewarded, not punished. Across the pond, a few outlets have at least acknowledged their part in shaping the narrative around January 6 and Mr. Trump, suggesting a degree of self-awareness abroad that is rare here. That recognition is notable because it admits the media can steer public opinion, for better or worse. It also contrasts sharply with what followed in American newsrooms. Back home, legacy media institutions repeatedly pushed…

The Trump administration says the shutdown could be winding down, but it will keep fighting in court over whether full SNAP benefits should be paid while funding disputes linger. The government shutdown may be on a path to resolution, but the Trump administration said Monday it will continue its legal battle not to pay full food stamp benefits in the meantime. That line captures the current posture: a partial thaw in politics while a legal fight stays hot. The administration frames the suit as a matter of law and stewardship of taxpayer dollars, not a political stunt. Critics see it…

President Trump issued pardons for Rudy Giuliani, Mark Meadows and others tied to efforts around the 2020 election, a move that has reshaped the legal and political landscape surrounding those cases. President Trump granted pardons to Rudy Giuliani, Mark Meadows and other associates who were accused of supporting Republicans’ attempts to overturn the 2020 election, and the decision landed fast and hard across the country. Supporters see the action as a rightful defense of loyal aides and a check against what they call politically motivated prosecutions. Critics immediately framed it as shielding wrongdoing, which guarantees fresh fights in courts and…