Benjamin Hughes, Author at TrendTrackersNews

Trump’s dismantling of Voice of America could lead to dominance of anti-American propaganda, director says

March 18, 2025 Benjamin Hughes

Washington — President Trump’s dismantling of the government-funded Voice of America will pave the way for America’s adversaries to have greater influence abroad, predicted the agency’s director Michael Abramowitz. After Mr. Trump signed an executive order that seeks to make sweeping cuts at the nation’s largest international broadcaster, about 1,300 employees, including Abramowitz, learned over

Due process concerns for immigrants deported for alleged gang membership

March 18, 2025 Benjamin Hughes

Due process concerns for immigrants deported for alleged gang membership – CBS News Watch CBS News More than 130 Venezuelan migrants were expelled from the U.S. under the 227-year-old “Alien Enemies Act.” A federal judge tried to block it, but the White House says the planes carrying them had already taken off for El Salvador.

Judge demands to know why Trump administration ignored order about redirecting deportation flights

March 18, 2025 Benjamin Hughes

A federal judge admonished the Justice Department Monday for disobeying his order to turn around two planes en route to El Salvador that were carrying alleged Tren de Aragua gang members. He also demanded explanations about removal flights ordered since President Trump invoked the Alien Enemies Act Saturday. During a hearing on the Trump administration’s compliance

Voice of America director says Trump’s dismantling of agency is “self-inflicted blow”

March 18, 2025 Benjamin Hughes

Voice of America director says Trump’s dismantling of agency is “self-inflicted blow” – CBS News Watch CBS News Voice of America, the government-funded news agency launched during World War II to counter Nazi propaganda, stopped broadcasting over the weekend after its employees were put on leave or terminated by the Trump administration. Nancy Cordes spoke

Hundreds of actors and Hollywood insiders sign open letter urging government not to loosen copyright laws for AI

March 17, 2025 Benjamin Hughes

Hollywood actors, directors and other creatives are pushing back on the loosening of AI regulations, with more than 420 entertainment industry insiders signing an open letter urging the government to uphold copyright laws that apply to artificial intelligence. The group, led by actress Natasha Lyonne, also includes Bette Midler, Aubrey Plaza, Ava DuVernay, Paul Simon,

Minnesota man accused of hiding stolen ruby slippers from “Wizard of Oz” is dead, prosecutors say

March 17, 2025 Benjamin Hughes

St. Paul preps for St. Patrick’s Day, and more headlines St. Paul preps for St. Patrick’s Day, and more headlines 05:19 A federal judge dismissed the charges Monday against a Minnesota man accused of hiding a stolen pair of ruby slippers that Judy Garland wore in the 1939 musical “The Wizard of Oz” after prosecutors

Webb telescope images of exoplanets “stunned researchers,” offer insight into carbon dioxide, NASA says

March 17, 2025 Benjamin Hughes

The James Webb Space Telescope has directly observed the key chemical of carbon dioxide in planets outside of our solar system for the first time, scientists announced Monday. The gas giants are not capable of hosting extraterrestrial life, but do offer clues in a lingering mystery about how distant planets form, according to a study

PepsiCo to buy prebiotic brand Poppi for nearly $2 billion

March 17, 2025 Benjamin Hughes

PepsiCo is acquiring prebiotic soda brand Poppi for almost $2 billion, the beverage giant said on Monday. Purchase, New York-based PepsiCo had reportedly planned to start its own so-called functional soda under its Soulboost brand, but decided instead to purchase Poppi, a brand that combines prebiotics, fruit juice and apple cider to craft a low-calorie

Warren Zeiders on his rise in country music and new album “Relapse, Lies & Betrayal”

March 17, 2025 Benjamin Hughes

Warren Zeiders on his rise in country music and new album “Relapse, Lies & Betrayal” – CBS News Watch CBS News At just 25, Warren Zeiders has racked up over three billion global streams and eight million monthly listeners on Spotify. Now, he’s making waves with his new album, “Relapse, Lies & Betrayal.” He joins

Conan O’Brien is returning as Oscars host in 2026

March 17, 2025 Benjamin Hughes

Conan O’Brien is returning to the Oscars stage in 2026. The late-night host and comedian will preside over the 98th Academy Awards, set for March 15, the film academy’s leadership said Monday. “The only reason I’m hosting the Oscars next year is that I want to hear Adrien Brody finish his speech,” O’Brien said in