Rudy Giuliani, former mayor of New York City and attorney for former President Donald Trump, is facing a $10 million lawsuit from a former employee for alleged sexual assault, failure to pay wages, and offering pardons for $2 million. The lawsuit includes phrases such as "This conversation was recorded" which could be a problem for Giuliani, and mentions three potential federal crimes. Giuliani has denied all of the allegations.
News Mash
At least six people have been killed in a devastating fire that ripped through a hostel in Wellington, New Zealand overnight, with 11 people still unaccounted for. Firefighters responded to the blaze at Loafers Lodge hostel late Monday night, forcing 52 people to flee the four-story building. Prime Minister Chris Hipkins has confirmed that the number of fatalities is likely to rise, and an investigation is underway to determine the cause of the fire.
13-year-old Ella Reed from Fort Pierce, Florida, bravely fought off a shark attack in the waters off the coast, leaving her with 19 stitches and bites on her torso, arm, finger and knee. After the shark latched onto her stomach, she fought it off with her arm and yelled for her nearby friend to head for safety. Reed is now grateful for the support of her family and friends and is looking forward to getting back in the water.
A Florida elementary school teacher is under investigation by the state Department of Education after she showed her fifth-grade students a Disney movie featuring an openly gay character. Jenna Barbee, the teacher, believes the investigation is an example of discrimination against the LGBTQ community. She said she showed the movie as a “brain break” in between students’ standardized testing and that she had no intention of offending anyone. The state Department of Education has not yet commented on the investigation.
On Monday, a shooting in Farmington, New Mexico left four people dead, including a suspect who was "confronted and killed on scene", and two police officers wounded. Schools citywide were put on lockdown in response, and Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham thanked police for their quick response. The incident is a reminder of the dangers of gun violence and the need for increased gun control measures.
Attorney General William Barr has granted special counsel status to John Durham, the prosecutor he appointed to investigate the origins of the Russia investigation. Durham's report concluded that the Justice Department and FBI had "failed to uphold their important mission of strict fidelity to the law" in their investigation, though much of the information disclosed in the report had already been made public. This special counsel status gives Durham the authority to complete his work without being easily fired, and his report is likely to be the last major report from the Trump-era Justice Department.
Martha Stewart has made history as the oldest Sports Illustrated Swimsuit cover model ever, appearing on the cover at the age of 81. The other three cover models this year are Megan Fox, Kim Petras and Brooks Nader, and Stewart's cover shot features her with tousled hair and a glamorous look. This year's issue is set to hit stands later this week, and Stewart's appearance is a testament to her longevity in the media and her ability to remain relevant in a constantly changing industry.
John Durham's four-year investigation into the FBI's conduct during the 2016 presidential election has concluded with the release of a 300-page report. The report found that the Justice Department and FBI "failed to uphold their important mission of strict fidelity to the law" when it came to the events of the 2016 campaign. It also stated that the FBI's actions were negligent, but not the result of intentional misconduct or political bias. The report has been met with mixed reactions from both sides of the political aisle.