Justin Klawans

Why is Germany ramping up its defense spending?

The country hopes to have the strongest army in Europe by 2039, and is investing heavily in defense to do so

House advances Build Back Better Act, sending social spending bill to Senate

The House of Representatives passed President Joe Biden's Build Back Better legislation Friday, handing the commander-in-chief and the Democratic Party a major victory going into the Thanksgiving holiday. The passage of the social spending and climate plan represents one of Biden's greatest achievements to date during his presidency, and comes just days after he signed into law his $1.2 trillion bipartisan infrastructure agenda.

A running list of everything Trump has named or renamed after himself

The Kennedy Center is the latest thing to be slapped with Trump's name

Lynching is almost a federal hate crime as Senate unanimously passes bill

A bill that would make lynching a federal hate crime has unanimously passed in the Senate and is now heading to the desk of President Joe Biden, who said he plans to soon sign the legislation into law.

Soldiers and veterans have mixed feelings about the Iran war

The US should "articulate a very clear plan if we are going to put American service members' lives in jeopardy," one veteran said

Newly publicized Dutch archives force families to confront accusations of Nazi collaboration

The archives were available to researchers but only recently became publicly accessible

Trump indicted over alleged efforts to overturn 2020 election

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New Zealand is up in arms over Maori rights bill

Thousands of New Zealanders have taken to the streets over the bill

Tim Walz, the Midwestern governor running to be America's next vice president

Walz has been the governor of Minnesota since 2019 and maintains high approval ratings in the state

Biden weighing trip to meet NATO leaders in Belgium, then on to Poland

President Joe Biden is reportedly considering traveling to Europe to meet with NATO allies about the war in Ukraine, following in the footsteps of Vice President Kamala Harris. As Russia's invasion of Ukraine stretches into its third week, the Biden administration has enacted a series of economic sanctions against the country in an effort to punish Russian President Vladimir Putin.

Joe Biden says he would relish rematch with Donald Trump in 2024

President Joe Biden stated Wednesday that he would enjoy a potential rematch in the 2024 election with former President Donald Trump. Biden's remarks came during a primetime interview at the White House with ABC News' World News Tonight anchor David Muir, who proceeded to ask the president if he would run again during the next election.

China dodges genocide reports as Xi Jinping and Joe Biden disagree on human rights

President Joe Biden raised concerns about China's treatment of Uyghurs during a virtual summit with opposite number Xi Jinping on Monday, according to a White House readout that failed to mention the word "genocide" or discuss American representation at the upcoming Winter Olympics in Beijing.

Trump reportedly 'terrified' of accusations he 'flushed' official documents

As the controversy surrounding his handling of government documents continues to build, former President Donald Trump is reportedly "terrified" of an accusation that he would periodically attempt to flush papers down the toilet when he was in office. The allegation is reportedly detailed in the upcoming book Confidence Man by Maggie Haberman, a White House correspondent for The New York Times.

Why does Donald Trump want to free the founder of an online black market?

Ross Ulbricht was sentenced to life in prison for creating the Silk Road market

House votes 222-208 to hold Mark Meadows in contempt of Congress

The House of Representatives voted Tuesday to hold former White House chief of staff Mark Meadows in contempt of Congress for ignoring a congressional subpoena related to the January 6 insurrection at the Capitol. It is unclear whether Meadows will turn himself in to authorities.

Lockerbie bombing suspect in U.S. custody, authorities say

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Clarence Thomas sole dissenter as SCOTUS allows Trump's docs to be seen by 1/6 Committee

The U.S. Supreme Court on Wednesday paved the way for the presidential records of former President Donald Trump to be transferred to the House Select Committee on the January 6 Attack. This all but ends a bid by Trump to keep his administration's documents out of Congress' hands.

Interpol Elections Shine Harsh Light on Authoritarian Regimes

"They don't like doing things that might embarrass or undermine certain countries," a policing reformer said of Interpol.

CBO gives estimate on deficit increase from Build Back Better

The Congressional Budget Office (CBO) release a report Thursday estimating the total deficit increase that would result from the passage of President Joe Biden's Build Back Better legislation. The U.S. House of Representatives is set to vote on the measure Thursday night.

Justice Department sues Texas over voting bill, alleging it violates Civil Rights Act

The U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) filed a lawsuit Thursday against the state of Texas over the legality of a recent voting law passed by the Texas Senate. Texas Senate Bill 1 put a series of sweeping new restrictions on state voting laws and also limited the abilities of individual counties to increase voter options.

Jacksonville Jaguars sued by sponsor over fans planning to dress as clowns

The main sponsor for the Jacksonville Jaguars' upcoming game filed a lawsuit Thursday to pull itself out amidst a planned fan protest at the stadium that will involve dressing up as clowns. RoofClaim, a Cobb County, Georgia-based residential and commercial roofing company, stated in the lawsuit's filing that it was "currently faced with the prospect of its brand being emphasized as the primary sponsor of the clown game."

Big-league robot umpires are set to alter baseball

The automated system will let players contest balls and strikes, something that has not been allowed before. Some people are fans of the tech. Some are not.

Why is FIFA struggling to generate World Cup demand?

With empty hotels and high ticket prices, officials are worried about the upcoming tournament amid a politically turbulent climate.

The NHL flip-flops on its LGBTQ+ policies

The world's premier hockey league has grappled with anti-LGBTQ+ sentiment among some of its players, and not everyone loves the response

Cricket is swiftly becoming America's new obsession

Team USA recently shocked the world by beating Pakistan in the Men's World Cup

John Madden, legendary NFL coach and broadcaster, dies at 85

Football legend John Madden has passed away at the age of 85, the National Football League ( NFL) announced Tuesday. "We all know [John Madden] as the Hall of Fame coach of the Oakland Raiders and broadcaster who worked for every major network, but more than anything, he was a devoted husband, father and grandfather," said NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell.

Will a death at the CrossFit Games change the sport?

CrossFitter Lazar Dukic drowned during a competition earlier this month

Canada's Olympic women's soccer team is embroiled in a drone-spying scandal

The team's coach was banned for two years as a result of the scandal

Abuse ran rampant in women's pro soccer league, according to new report

A new report published Monday documented extensive and " systemic" abuse in the National Women's Soccer League (NWSL) - the top professional women's league in the U.S. The report was the culmination of an investigation into the NWSL led by former acting U.S. Attorney General Sally Yates.

NHL teams donate $10,000 to fan who warned equipment manager of cancerous mole

The NHL's Seattle Kraken and Vancouver Canucks have teamed up to donate $10,000 towards a fan's education after she warned the Canucks' equipment manager of a cancerous mole during a game. Medical student Nadia Popovici, 22, attended the Kraken's first-ever home game Oct. 23, snagging seats on the glass directly behind the Canucks players' bench.

First openly nonbinary athlete qualifies for Winter Olympics

Team USA on Sunday named figure skater Timothy LeDuc to the national team for the upcoming Beijing Olympics, making them the first-ever openly nonbinary athlete to qualify as a Winter Olympian. LeDuc, 31, along with their partner, Ashley Cain-Gribble, 26, was named to the team following a dazzling performance in the Olympic qualifiers at Bridgestone Arena in Nashville, Tennessee.

NFL to switch U.K. television coverage from BBC to ITV - UPI.com

In an effort to grow its expanding British fanbase, the NFL has announced a new partnership with broadcast network ITV.

Houston Astros, with cheating scandal still lurking, back in the World Series

The Houston Astros proved that their 2017 cheating scandal lurking in the background doesn't phase them, as they now advance to their third World Series in five seasons. The Astros beat the Boston Red Sox, 5-0, in Game 6 of the American League Championship Series (ALCS) on Friday, winning the series four games to two.

Russian olympian Kamila Valieva tests positive for banned drug, report says

Russian figure skater Kamila Valieva, the 15-year-old Olympic phenom who helped to bring her nation a gold medal, tested positive for a banned substance prior to the 2022 Winter Games in Beijing, according to a report from the Associated Press.

Barry Bonds, Roger Clemens rejected by Hall of Fame as David Ortiz gets in despite PEDs

Baseball legends Barry Bonds and Roger Clemens on Tuesday became the latest former Major League Baseball ( MLB) players to be excluded from the Baseball Hall of Fame in their final year of eligibility.

L.A. Dodgers pull a feat never seen in club history with 6-5 win over Braves

The Los Angeles Dodgers overcame a 5-2 deficit Tuesday to snatch a victory away from the Atlanta Braves in Game 3 of the National League Championship Series (NLCS), winning 6-5 and avoiding an elimination game thanks to a monster eighth inning.

Breaking News: The Chicago Blackhawks have acquired Seth Jones

Per the team's official release, the Blackhawks have acquired defenseman Seth Jones from the Columbus Blue Jackets, as well as the 32nd overall pick this year and a sixth-rounder in next year's draft. In exchange, defenseman Adam Boqvist is headed to Columbus, along with the Hawks' 11th and 44th overall picks this year, and a first-rounder in 2022.

Blackhawks News: Team reportedly trades Duncan Keith to Edmonton

As first reported by multiple sources, including the Chicago Sun-Times' Ben Pope and HNIC's Elliotte Friedman, the 37-year-old Blackhawks defenseman has been shipped to Edmonton, ending the veteran's 16-year tenure in the Windy City. In exchange, the Hawks have received defenseman Caleb Jones and a third-round draft pick in the 2022 NHL Entry Draft.

Bob Odenkirk Is Going to the Extreme For His Biggest Project Yet [Exclusive]

Bob Odenkirk reveals his new documentary with David Cross, chronicling their ascent of Machu Picchu ruins in Peru, with a glimpse into their lives.

A lawsuit against James Cameron underscores questions over actors' likenesses

The suit accuses the director of using a face in "Avatar" without permission and may have broader implications for Hollywood and the use of AI in the future.

How will the Warner Bros. bidding war affect the entertainment industry?

Both Netflix and Paramount are trying to purchase the company, and the fight could drastically alter the Hollywood landscape

The spiraling chaos at Paramount

The company tried to find a lifeline with Skydance, but the deal didn't pan out

$5M lawsuit alleging sexism, inaccuracy in Netflix's "Queen's Gambit" to proceed

Netflix lost a bid on Thursday to toss out a $5 million defamation lawsuit against its hit show The Queen's Gambit that alleges instances of sexism and inaccuracies within the series. U.S. District Judge Virginia A.

'Harry Potter' Set for 7-Season TV Reboot at HBO Max

HBO Max is rebooting the popular Harry Potter book series as a television show, with author J.K. Rowling reportedly involved.

How will the writers' deal shape the future of Hollywood screenwriting?

The post-strike entertainment industry could look very different for screenwriters

L.A. Councilman Wants to Ban Live Guns From Movie Sets After 'Rust' Death

"While movies can be convincing and very realistic - they are supposed to be make-believe," the councilman said.

Did Ringo Starr Just Confirm Who Plays Him in the Upcoming Beatles Biopics?

Eiza González Reunites With Guy Ritchie For Heist Film 'Fountain of Youth'

Eiza González has joined the cast of Guy Ritchie's heist film Fountain of Youth alongside John Krazinski, Natalie Portman and Domnhall Gleeson.

6 major lawsuits involving Hollywood films

People have sued major Hollywood productions for every reason under the sun

Amid scandal, poor reviews, 'Rifkin's Festival' lowest grossing Woody Allen film ever

Amidst continuing controversy surrounding its director and a slate of poor reviews, Woody Allen's latest film, Rifkin's Festival, earned just $24,000 at the U.S. box office this past weekend. This makes the movie the lowest-grossing feature of Allen's six-decade Hollywood career. Starring Wallace Shawn and Gina Gershon, Rifkin's Festival opened in only 26 movie theaters across the United States.

A meal with surprises is served in new trailer for 'The Menu'

Aug. 10 (UPI) -- Searchlight Pictures on Wednesday released the official trailer for its upcoming horror comedy film The Menu. The trailer shows off a young couple, played by Anya Taylor-Joy ( The Northman) and Nicholas Hoult ( The Great), who travel to an exclusive, high-end restaurant on a remote island.

'Napoleon' Global Box Office Charges to New Levels

Ridley Scott's historical epic, which stars Joaquin Phoenix, continues to its impressive charge at the global box office.

'Glass Onion' trailer shows Daniel Craig peeling back another mystery

Sept. 8 (UPI) -- Netflix on Thursday released the first teaser trailer for its upcoming mystery film Glass Onion: A Knives Out Mystery, the long-awaited sequel to Knives Out. The trailer shows the film's star Daniel Craig back on the case as Detective Benoit Blanc.

'Batgirl': Warner Bros. CFO Says Reaction to Cancellation Was Blown Out of Proportion

The decision by Warner Bros. Discovery to shelve the upcoming film Batgirl sent shockwaves throughout Hollywood, but the company's chief financial officer, Gunnar Wiedenfels, is now claiming that the demise of the film was "blown out of proportion" by the media. The cancellation of Batgirl came following a flurry of changes at Warner Bros.

Toronto International Film Festival back with full lineup of films

July 28 (UPI) -- The Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF) announced its full lineup of films on Thursday, revealing that the festival would return to its more normal proceedings this year after COVID-19 restrictions caused a more muted 2021 edition. One of the largest and most well-attended film festivals in the world, TIFF 2022 will begin on Sept.

Ezra Miller Returns to Set for 'The Flash' Reshoots

Production on DC Films' upcoming standalone has been mired in controversy surrounding topliner Ezra Miller, who will be starring as the film's titular superhero. Despite these controversies, it appears that DC and their parent company Warner Bros. Discovery are standing behind them, at least when it comes to wrapping up The Flash.

Matthew McConaughey, Nicole Kidman mourn "Dallas Buyers Club" director Jean-Marc Vallée

Tributes poured in from A-list Hollywood players Monday after the death of director Jean-Marc Vallée. A native of Montreal, Vallée reportedly passed away suddenly at his cabin outside of Quebec City, Quebec on Sunday at the age of 58. Deadline reported that a sudden heart attack was the cause of death, although this has not been confirmed.

Netflix is getting pricier so it can fund more original content

Streaming giant Netflix announced on Friday that it would be raising its monthly prices from $1 to $2 across the United States and Canada in an effort to help the platform fund more original content. The news comes as Netflix looks to try and stand out amongst the continually-crowded streaming platform.

People across the US are 'speed-running' into Scientology buildings

TikTokers are responsible for the trend. The Scientology church is alleging that the pranks constitute hate crimes and is pursuing action.

Antitrust push by feds could halt mega-mergers like $8.45B Amazon-MGM deal

Rising antitrust pressure from the federal government could threaten to put a stop to massive entertainment-based mergers, such as Amazon's $8.45 billion agreement to purchase MGM Studios. The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) recently opened an inquiry into the legality of these types of mega deals in multiple industries, including potential mergers in Hollywood.

11-Alarm Chemical Fire Forces Evacuations in New Jersey, Smoke Reaches NYC

"We are asking all residents to stay as far away as possible," the mayor of Passaic, New Jersey said.

Man Who Killed 1, Injured 3 at CA Synagogue Gets Life in Prison

Attorney General Merrick Garland called the crime "an assault on fundamental principles of our nation."

Boar's Head plant closure leaves another small town looking for answers

The Jarratt, Virginia, plant has been shuttered indefinitely after a listeria outbreak

From boomtown to bust, the story of San Francisco

A variety of social problems have cast a shadow over the once-gleaming City by the Bay

Airplane food is reportedly getting much worse

There have been at least four incidents of problematic food on flights this year.

Artists, labels up in arms about "HitPiece music NFTs" offered without consent

Independent music label Needlejuice Records is fighting back against a so-called "crypto-thief" that the company says is selling NFTs of their artists without authorization. A website known as HitPiece, which claims to provide "one of one NFTs of all your favorite songs", suddenly began selling the NFTs-in this case, digital links to the artists' music.

Kentucky towns devastated by recent tornadoes can learn from recovery of Greensburg, Kansas

In the aftermath of towns across Kentucky being devastated by recent tornadoes, the little Midwestern community of Greensburg, Kansas, could prove a lesson in the long-term rebuilding efforts undertaken by small towns. Locales across the Bluegrass State saw unforetold damage and over 70 casualties as a series of tornadoes rampaged across eight states over the weekend.

6 Kennedy children applaud Gov. Gavin Newsom for denying parole to Sirhan Sirhan

Six children of slain political icon Robert F. Kennedy lauded California Governor Gavin Newsom's decision on Thursday to deny parole to their father's killer, Sirhan Sirhan. A joint statement was released on behalf of six out of RFK's nine surviving children: Joseph P. Kennedy II, Christopher G. Kennedy, Courtney Kennedy, Maxwell T.

College student helps ID suspect in 1964 Pennsylvania cold case murder

After nearly six decades, a Pennsylvania murder case has finally been solved, thanks to the assistance of a 20-year-old genealogy expert. The case involved the death of Marise Ann Chiverella, a 9-year-old who was abducted on the morning of March 18, 1964, while on her way to school in the coal-mining town of Hazleton.

How Boeing dropped the ball on air safety

The company has been plagued by accidents and crashes that have hurt its once-golden reputation

How NASA has made space travel safer since Challenger

In the 36 years since the space shuttle Challenger exploded over the Florida skies, the National Aeronautics and Space Administration ( NASA) has made a number of advancements in ensuring that space travel is as safe as possible.

Boris Johnson and London's mayor have different ideas of how to stop spread of Omicron

As cases of the COVID-19 Omicron variant continue to sweep across the United Kingdom, Prime Minister Boris Johnson and the Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan, appear to have differing opinions on how to deal with the pandemic.

At least 53 migrants dead after truck overturns in Mexico

At least 53 people died and many more were injured when a truck filled with mostly Central American migrants overturned on a highway in southern Mexico on Thursday. The accident occurred just outside the city of Tuxtla Gutierrez, the largest settlement in the Mexican state of Chiapas.

Australia reopens borders following $72B tourism loss due to pandemic

Australia is preparing to reopen its borders to international travelers following a pandemic lockdown that saw the nation's tourism industry lose approximately $72 billion. The Australian government first announced it would be closing itself off from international flyers in March 2020, following the continued spread of COVID-19 cases within the country.