Bellingcat investigation links Mark Resan to at least two deepfake porn sites, RefacePorn and DeepfakePorn, which use AI to create non-consensual explicit images. Resan, associated with multiple companies and payment processors, appears to have generated over $331,000 from these sites, which have now gone offline. The investigation highlights the proliferation and harm of deepfake pornography, the challenges in regulation, and Resan's potential role in this industry.
President Trump’s unilateral decision to pay military personnel during the government shutdown, using repurposed defense funds and a private donation, raises legal concerns and sets a dangerous precedent by undermining Congress’s constitutional authority over government spending, potentially impacting future decisions on military deployment and domestic military use.
Donald Trump claimed that negative broadcast news coverage of him is 'illegal' because it is disproportionately critical, citing reports that 97% of coverage is negative and accusing networks of bias and cheating, while also criticizing FCC actions and the broader media landscape.
US President Donald Trump attempted to use a 'pocket rescission' process to block $4.9 billion in foreign aid, a move widely condemned as illegal and authoritarian, with critics arguing it undermines Congress's constitutional power over budget decisions and could lead to a government shutdown.
President Trump threatened to send federal troops to Chicago to combat crime, prompting strong opposition from Mayor Brandon Johnson and Governor JB Pritzker, who called the move illegal and an abuse of power. The debate highlights tensions over federal intervention in local law enforcement and concerns about the legality and impact of deploying military or federal forces in U.S. cities.
The Canada Industrial Relations Board declared the strike by 10,000 Air Canada flight attendants illegal and ordered them back to work after they ignored an earlier order, affecting about 130,000 travelers during peak summer travel season. The dispute centers on pay and working conditions, with the union refusing arbitration and the government and airline seeking resolution. The strike has caused significant disruption, and the situation remains unresolved.
Nobel laureate Paul Krugman criticizes President Trump's plan to impose 50% tariffs on Brazilian exports, calling it 'grotesquely illegal' as it violates international trade agreements and exceeds presidential authority, with Krugman warning that the tariffs will ultimately be paid by American consumers and that Trump's tone indicates a departure from normal trade policy.
Japanese man arrested for allegedly hacking Pokémon Scarlet and Violet games to create custom characters, which he sold on an online gaming marketplace. Using an online tool to modify the game’s save data, the 36-year-old suspect was caught by cyber patrol officers and is accused of violating the Unfair Competition Prevention Act. The man reportedly confessed to the charges, claiming he did it to earn a living, and police suspect his total profit amounted to millions of yen.
Missouri Attorney General Andrew Bailey has filed a lawsuit against the Biden administration over the "SAVE" plan, arguing that it is illegal and would cost American taxpayers $475 billion. This comes after President Biden unveiled a new plan to cancel student loan debt, which is expected to impact up to 30 million Americans. Bailey, along with attorneys general from several other states, is concerned about the separation of powers and the lack of congressional authorization for such a significant redistribution of wealth.
The White House clarified that President Biden did not apologize for using the term 'illegal' to describe the alleged killer of Laken Riley, despite earlier statements suggesting regret. This comes after former President Trump criticized Biden's use of the term and claimed that Biden had apologized. The use of the term 'illegal' to refer to the Venezuelan immigrant charged with Riley's murder has sparked controversy, with progressive Democrats condemning it as dehumanizing.
Matthew Hebert of Pennsylvania faces up to four years in federal prison for illegally flying a drone over the AFC Championship game between the Chiefs and Ravens, violating national defense airspace and other federal charges. He admitted to operating the drone, purchased online in 2021, and assumed he was allowed to fly it when the app worked during the game.
The FCC is seeking to classify robocalls that use AI-generated voices as illegal under existing law, making it easier to crack down on bad actors and protect consumers from scams and frauds. The rise of AI-generated voices mimicking celebrities and politicians has raised concerns about the potential for increased spam and scams. The proposal comes after incidents such as a call impersonating President Joe Biden, created using AI tools, and aims to provide new tools for State Attorneys General offices to combat such fraudulent activities.
The trial of former Pakistani Prime Minister Imran Khan, who was indicted for revealing state secrets after being ousted from office in 2022, has been declared illegal by a court in Islamabad. The impact of this declaration is yet to be clarified, but Khan's lawyer expects it to be addressed in a court order. Khan, who remains popular and claims the charges against him are politically motivated, was expelled from office through a no-confidence vote and has faced multiple legal challenges since then.
A federal judge in Texas has once again declared the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program illegal, siding with Texas and eight other states in their lawsuit against the program. However, the judge did not order an immediate end to DACA, allowing the program to continue for existing recipients while it undergoes ongoing legal review. The ruling is expected to be appealed to the U.S. Supreme Court, marking the program's third appearance before the high court. The judge's decision extends the current injunction against DACA, preventing the approval of new applications, but does not require any action against current recipients. The Biden administration expressed disappointment with the ruling and vowed to defend DACA from legal challenges.
