The Justice Department has filed new criminal charges against James Comey, the former FBI director, in what appears to be the latest instance of using federal power to target a political enemy of President Donald Trump. Comey was charged on Tuesday over a picture he posted on Instagram last year while on vacation, showing seashells arranged to read '86 47'. The number 86 is sometimes used as shorthand for getting rid of something, and the post was interpreted as a threat to Trump, the 47th president.
Details of the Charges
Comey faces two felonies: making a threat against the president and transmitting that threat via social media across state lines. The indictment claims that a reasonable person would interpret the seashell numbers as a serious expression of intent to harm the president. Comey has denied any malicious intent, stating he did not realize the numbers were associated with violence. He deleted the post and apologized, writing on Instagram: 'It never occurred to me, but I oppose violence of any kind so I took the post down.' In a video response, Comey said: 'Well, they’re back. This time, about a picture of seashells on a North Carolina beach a year ago. And this won’t be the end of it, but nothing has changed with me. I am still innocent. I am still not afraid. And I still believe in the independent federal judiciary. So, let’s go.' He added: 'It’s really important that all of us remember – this is not who we are as a country, this is not how the Department of Justice is supposed to be, and the good news is we get closer every day to restoring those values. Keep the faith.'
King Charles Praises NATO and Calls for Ukraine Defense
In a landmark speech to the U.S. Congress, King Charles extolled the importance of the 'special relationship' between Britain and the United States. He praised NATO, called for the defense of Ukraine, and urged action on the climate crisis. The speech, the first royal address to Congress in 35 years, was part of a four-day visit to mark the 250th anniversary of U.S. independence. Charles stated: 'America’s words carry weight and meaning, as they have since independence. The actions of this great nation matter even more.' Donald Trump claimed that the king agrees with him on preventing Iran from acquiring nuclear weapons, but as head of state, Charles remains politically neutral. Meanwhile, the U.S. will issue limited-edition 'America250' passports featuring Trump’s image, continuing his trend of personalizing national symbols.
Disneyland Introduces Facial Recognition
Disneyland has equipped parts of its California Adventure Park with facial recognition technology, raising concerns about privacy and surveillance. At certain entrance lanes, cameras capture visitors' images, which are converted into unique numerical values via biometric technology. The Walt Disney Company states this is to streamline re-entry and prevent fraud. Other venues, such as Major League Baseball stadiums, have adopted similar 'go-ahead entry' systems. Privacy experts warn that these moves set dangerous precedents for surveillance and data security.
Other News
- Humanitarian Crisis: Aid organizations call for a 'humanitarian corridor' through the Strait of Hormuz as U.S. and Iranian blockades delay food and medical aid to vulnerable populations.
- New Zealand Rejects Statue: Officials have refused a statue commemorating 'comfort women' enslaved by Japan during World War II, following objections from Tokyo.
- France Investigates Website: Authorities are probing the reappearance of a site used by Dominique Pelicot to recruit strangers to rape his drugged wife.
- Voter Records: A federal judge blocked the Trump administration from accessing Arizona’s voter records, a setback before the midterm elections.
Population Projections
Deaths are expected to outnumber births in the UK every year from 2026, according to the Office for National Statistics. The UK population is projected to peak in the 2050s and then decline, with net migration as the sole driver of growth. In the U.S., deaths are projected to exceed births starting in 2030.
Well Actually: Responding to Body Criticism
A reader asks how to respond when friends criticize their weight or appearance. Beauty experts suggest empathetic responses that avoid reinforcing the beauty industrial complex. Instead of saying 'You’re beautiful,' which can feel shallow, engage in conversations about how the industry perpetuates insecurities.
AI Jailbreakers
Hackers like Valen Tagliabue spend their days trying to manipulate large language models into breaking their own rules, such as giving instructions for bomb-making or cyber-attacks. They report their findings to chatbot creators to fix flaws. Tagliabue notes the psychological toll: 'I spent hours manipulating something that talks back. Unless you’re a sociopath, that does something to a person.'
Climate Check: Clean Energy Progress
Despite Trump’s efforts to obstruct the clean energy transition, March was the first full month where U.S. electricity from renewables exceeded that from gas, according to Ember data. Last year set a record for green energy generation.
Dogs’ Brains Shrank Over Time
Research shows that dogs’ brains began shrinking 5,000 years ago, but this does not imply lower intelligence. The study’s lead author explains: 'Domestication didn’t make them stupid, but made them really capable of reading us and communicating with us.'
