Christopher Bucktin, a seasoned journalist with over 25 years of experience, previously honored as Press Gazette Reporter of the Year, transitioned to the role of US Editor in 2013. Known for breaking significant news stories and leading investigations, he has covered pivotal events in America, including those related to the Trump administration and the Jeffrey Epstein case. Bucktin regularly contributes columns to the Daily Mirror, Daily Star, and Reach’s regional titles.
During a paraglider’s flight, a close encounter with a stray birthday balloon almost disrupted his journey. The 27-year-old pilot encountered a large “6” balloon in mid-air, initially mistaking it for another pilot or a bird. He humorously remarked, “At first I thought it was another pilot, then maybe a big bird.”
The unusual incident of the “number six” balloon almost interfering with the paraglider’s flight has gained widespread attention, accumulating over four million views on TikTok.
Meanwhile, Todd Blanche, the US Justice Department’s second-in-command, likened heckling Donald Trump during dinner to engaging with the Mafia. According to Blanche, individuals who confronted Trump while he dined could potentially face federal racketeering charges, typically used against organized crime figures.
Blanche posed a rhetorical question, insinuating a connection between individuals verbally confronting Trump at a restaurant and organized criminal activities. This perspective from the Trump administration implies severe consequences for dissent, even in casual settings.
An Akron schools administrator faced disciplinary action after converting school-owned lawn mowers into a personal business venture. Steven Keenan unauthorizedly traded 11 school mowers, repurchasing seven at discounted rates, and attempted to resell five at inflated prices on Facebook Marketplace.
The school board responded by suspending Keenan without pay and contemplating further disciplinary actions. This scheme involving the misappropriation of school resources has led to potential termination for Keenan.
Researchers from the University of California, Berkeley, made a surprising discovery that chimpanzees may unknowingly consume alcohol through their daily fruit consumption. Figs and plum-like fruits consumed by chimpanzees contain natural alcohol levels sufficient to induce mild intoxication, equivalent to human consumption of two cocktails daily.
The study, conducted in Uganda and Côte d’Ivoire, revealed that the chimps’ dietary habits result in a regular intake of alcohol, akin to kombucha with alcoholic content. This finding suggests that chimpanzees may inadvertently engage in their version of a “happy hour” through their fruit-rich diet.
In a legal case, executives of a strip club empire faced charges for attempting to evade $8 million in taxes through illicit means. Allegations suggest that Houston-based RCI Hospitality attempted to bribe a New York tax auditor with luxurious trips, extravagant dinners, and inappropriate entertainment offerings.
The bribery scheme allegedly involved numerous trips to Florida and substantial expenditures on “private entertainment” at various clubs. The Attorney General, Letitia James, condemned the executives for abusing their strip club resources to evade tax liabilities, highlighting the unethical practices uncovered during the investigation.