U.S. stocks slouched to a higher close on Monday, and benchmark Treasury yields rose amid flickering optimism that Washington will get past partisan wrangling and reach a debt ceiling deal.

US debt crisis: First-ever US debt default on cards? | World DNA

As US lawmakers come to a deadlock on US debt limit talks, they are yet to resolve the crisis. The US Deputy Treasury Secretary is the latest to appeal for a solution to the ongoing standoff. On the other hand, President Joe Biden and Republican leader Kevin McCarthy will meet again on Tuesday with hopes riding high for their meeting.

US debt crisis: US may run out of cash by June 1 | Biden cancels post G7 Asia tour

Wall Street advances, Treasury yields rise as debt-ceiling debate rolls along

Here, we bring you the news that is trending across WION's social media platforms - A grand jury in the US on Tuesday indicted a former Apple employee, charging him with theft and attempted theft of trade secrets and then fleeing to China.

Former Apple employee charged with theft of trade secrets and fleeing to China | Trending on WION

The chief executive of OpenAI, the startup which created ChatGPT, Sam Altman, addressed a panel of United States lawmakers, on Tuesday (May 16), and said that regulation of the “increasingly powerful models” of artificial intelligence is “critical” to mitigate the risks the technology poses. Altman also spoke about how the use of AI to interfere with election integrity is a “significant area of concern”.&nbsp;

Altman’s warnings and concerns over AI

“OpenAI was founded on the belief that artificial intelligence has the potential to improve nearly every aspect of our lives, but also that it creates serious risks,” said Altman while addressing a Senate judiciary subcommittee hearing.&nbsp;

This comes as many companies across the board from companies large and small have raced to bring increasingly sophisticated models of AI to market, which has raised concerns among critics and industry experts who have warned about how the technology can exacerbate societal harms including factors like misinformation and prejudice.

ALSO WATCH |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/videos/gravitas-how-italy-is-tackling-the-ai-threat-593048">Gravitas: How Italy is tackling the AI threat</a>

While expressing concerns Altman also spoke about how AI is also beneficial to society and said that in time, generative AI developed by OpenAI will “address some of humanity’s biggest challenges, like climate change and curing cancer.”&nbsp;

However, given the risks of the technology, “we think that regulatory intervention by governments will be critical to mitigate the risks of increasingly powerful models,” said the CEO of OpenAI.

What did the Senators say?

Notably, the session opened with Subcommittee Chairman Senator Richard Blumenthal, Connecticut Democrat, playing a recording of a rather convincing AI version of himself reading out remarks crafted by ChatGPT. Blumenthal chairs the Senate Judiciary Committee’s subcommittee on privacy, technology and the law.&nbsp;

ALSO READ |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/technology/world-health-organization-issues-warning-says-ai-in-healthcare-poses-risks-593037">World Health Organization issues warning, says AI in healthcare poses risks, could be misused</a>

“What if I had asked it, and what if it had provided, an endorsement of Ukraine surrendering or (Russian President) Vladimir Putin’s leadership?” said Blumenthal. He also spoke about how companies developing AI should test their systems and disclose known risks before releasing them to the general public.&nbsp;

AI technology is now more than “just research experiments. They are no longer fantasies of science fiction, they are real and present,” said the subcommittee chairman.&nbsp;

US Senator Cory Booker, one of many lawmakers who is a part of the committee which is questioning how best to regulate AI, noted there is no way to “put this genie in the bottle” as the use of AI is exploding globally.&nbsp;

ALSO READ |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/business-economy/time-is-running-out-as-biden-mccarthy-meet-over-debt-ceiling-deadlock-593039">'Time is running out' as Biden, McCarthy meet over debt ceiling deadlock</a>

Meanwhile, Republican senator, Josh Hawley of Missouri called AI “transformative in ways we can’t even imagine,” adding that it has implications for Americans’ elections, jobs, and security. He added, “This hearing marks a critical first step towards understanding what Congress should do.”

What does he propose?

Altman has called for “rules, guidelines, on what’s expected in terms of disclosure from a company providing a model,” in the context of elections and AI. Furthermore, he also suggested that the US should consider licensing and testing requirements for the development of AI models.

He went on to propose the formation of a regulation agency which would license the most powerful AI systems, in the US or globally, which would have the authority to “take that license away and ensure compliance with safety standards.” He added, “I think the US should lead here and do things first, but to be effective we do need something global.”

ALSO READ |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/ai-can-make-you-a-billionaire-this-japanese-ceos-firm-soared-nearly-50-know-how-592935">AI helped this Japanese CEO's firm soar nearly 50%. Know how</a>

Altman also said that companies should have the right to say if they do not want their data to be used for AI training while material on the public web would be fair game. He was also asked his opinion on which AI should be subject to licensing, and said a model that can persuade or manipulate a person’s belief would certainly be an example of a “great threshold”.&nbsp;

On the other hand, Christina Montgomery from International Business Machines Corp (IBM) who was also present for the hearing called for a “precision regulation” approach as opposed to an AI-focused regulator. This would mean “establishing rules to govern the deployment of AI in specific use-cases, not regulating the technology itself,” as quoted by The Associated Press.&nbsp;

(With inputs from agencies)&nbsp; 
 
&nbsp;

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The chief executive of OpenAI, the startup which created ChatGPT, Sam Altman, addressed a panel of United States lawmakers, on Tuesday (May 16), and said that regulation of the “increasingly powerful models” of artificial intelligence is “critical” to mitigate the risks the technology poses.

The chief executive of OpenAI, the startup which created ChatGPT, Sam Altman, addressed a panel of United States lawmakers, on Tuesday (May 16), and said that regulation of the “increasingly powerful models” of artificial intelligence is “critical” to mitigate the risks the technology poses. Altman also spoke about how the use of AI to interfere with election integrity is a “significant area of concern”. Altman’s warnings and concerns over AI “OpenAI was founded on the belief that artificial intelligence has the potential to improve nearly every aspect of our lives, but also that it creates serious risks,” said Altman while addressing a Senate judiciary subcommittee hearing. This comes as many companies across the board from companies large and small have raced to bring increasingly sophisticated models of AI to market, which has raised concerns among critics and industry experts who have warned about how the technology can exacerbate societal harms including factors like misinformation and prejudice. ALSO WATCH | Gravitas: How Italy is tackling the AI threat While expressing concerns Altman also spoke about how AI is also beneficial to society and said that in time, generative AI developed by OpenAI will “address some of humanity’s biggest challenges, like climate change and curing cancer.” However, given the risks of the technology, “we think that regulatory intervention by governments will be critical to mitigate the risks of increasingly powerful models,” said the CEO of OpenAI. What did the Senators say? Notably, the session opened with Subcommittee Chairman Senator Richard Blumenthal, Connecticut Democrat, playing a recording of a rather convincing AI version of himself reading out remarks crafted by ChatGPT. Blumenthal chairs the Senate Judiciary Committee’s subcommittee on privacy, technology and the law. ALSO READ | World Health Organization issues warning, says AI in healthcare poses risks, could be misused “What if I had asked it, and what if it had provided, an endorsement of Ukraine surrendering or (Russian President) Vladimir Putin’s leadership?” said Blumenthal. He also spoke about how companies developing AI should test their systems and disclose known risks before releasing them to the general public. AI technology is now more than “just research experiments. They are no longer fantasies of science fiction, they are real and present,” said the subcommittee chairman. US Senator Cory Booker, one of many lawmakers who is a part of the committee which is questioning how best to regulate AI, noted there is no way to “put this genie in the bottle” as the use of AI is exploding globally. ALSO READ | 'Time is running out' as Biden, McCarthy meet over debt ceiling deadlock Meanwhile, Republican senator, Josh Hawley of Missouri called AI “transformative in ways we can’t even imagine,” adding that it has implications for Americans’ elections, jobs, and security. He added, “This hearing marks a critical first step towards understanding what Congress should do.” What does he propose? Altman has called for “rules, guidelines, on what’s expected in terms of disclosure from a company providing a model,” in the context of elections and AI. Furthermore, he also suggested that the US should consider licensing and testing requirements for the development of AI models. He went on to propose the formation of a regulation agency which would license the most powerful AI systems, in the US or globally, which would have the authority to “take that license away and ensure compliance with safety standards.” He added, “I think the US should lead here and do things first, but to be effective we do need something global.” ALSO READ | AI helped this Japanese CEO's firm soar nearly 50%. Know how Altman also said that companies should have the right to say if they do not want their data to be used for AI training while material on the public web would be fair game. He was also asked his opinion on which AI should be subject to licensing, and said a model that can persuade or manipulate a person’s belief would certainly be an example of a “great threshold”. On the other hand, Christina Montgomery from International Business Machines Corp (IBM) who was also present for the hearing called for a “precision regulation” approach as opposed to an AI-focused regulator. This would mean “establishing rules to govern the deployment of AI in specific use-cases, not regulating the technology itself,” as quoted by The Associated Press. (With inputs from agencies) WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

OpenAI CEO testifies before US Congress, calls regulation of artificial intelligence ‘critical’

A high school student in Missouri was suspended for three days because she recorded a teacher using a racial slur during class. Mary Walton is a student at Glendale high school in Springfield.

A high school student in Missouri was suspended for three days because she recorded a teacher using a racial slur during class. Mary Walton is a student at Glendale high school in Springfield. On Friday, her school told her not to return to school until Wednesday as she violated the school district policy on inappropriate use of electronic devices. According to the Springfield News-Leader report, the school put the teacher, who remains anonymous, on paid administrative after saying the N-word on Tuesday. Later, CNN reported that the teacher tendered his resignation. Natalie Hull, Walton's attorney, plans to issue a demand letter to lift Mary's suspension. The family also wants an apology, she told the AP. Furthermore, Hull told the Washington Post that Mary was a whistleblower who gathered proof of misconduct by an authority figure. She claimed that her punishment would impose a 'chilling effect' on students raising their voices against the wrongdoing in the future. Teacher used racial slur six times, says Walton Walton mentioned that the teacher used the racial slur six times, two of which she recorded on her phone. However, she was not sure what instigated the exchange. According to her, the teacher asked the students why they could use the racial slur, but he couldn't. When the teacher realised Walton was recording, he asked her to put the phone away. However, when Walton refused, he told her to go to the office. She sent the video to her mother and a friend, and asked them to spread the message 'really, really fast.' ALSO READ | Who is mailing used condoms to Australian women? Police open investigation In a message to school employees and families, Josh Groves, the principal at Glendale, said the comments in the video were inappropriate and did not meet the Springfield district's professional standards. He expressed his confidence in the district and its decision about the incident at Glendale. However, the district officials said they could not publicly discuss student disciplinary actions. "When students have concerns, they should follow the appropriate steps for reporting," Groves' email read. Kate Welborn, Walton's mother, said she understands the district's policy on students making 'vigilante' videos. However, she mentioned that the teacher's actions needed to be brought to light. "What you are tacitly doing is discouraging students from reporting whenever a teacher does something outrageous," she told AP. (With inputs from agencies) WATCH WION LIVE HERE

US: High school student in Missouri suspended for recording teacher using racial slurs during class

The Biden administration says migrant crossings at the US-Mexico border have unexpectedly fallen, after the end of Title 42. Watch this report to know more.

US reports dip in illegal migrants crossing since expiry of Title 42 curbs

US is seeing more indications that Russia & Iran are expanding an unprecedented defence partnership. As per Washington, the cooperation is helping Moscow prolong its war in Ukraine & poses a threat to Iran's neighbours. Drones are the primary military help Iran is providing to Russia, which is seeking to acquire advanced-level types.

Russia & Iran team up: Focus on drones, missiles, electronics & air defence | Details

US-made aircraft parts worth $14.4 million were sent to Russia in 2022 despite sanctions. $8.9 million of these parts were manufactured or trademarked by Boeing. Why didn't the US follow its own rules? Molly Gambhir reports.

Gravitas: US tech flowed into Russian airlines despite sanctions

Layoffs and cost cuts seem less painful than the latest buzz doing the rounds - bankruptcy. The once-popular digital broadcaster Vice Media and envision healthcare were among at least seven large companies that rushed to file for bankruptcy protection in less than 48 hours.

Record bankruptcy filings in the US | World Business Watch

A report by US special counsel says FBI lacked actual evidence to probe Trump's 2016 presidential campaign & relied too heavily on tips provided by political opponents. The US prosecutor claims the probe into alleged collusion between Russia & Trump's 2016 campaign was based on flimsy evidence & had serious flaws. Trump's attorney general Bill Barr had appointed special counsel John Durham to address allegations.

'FBI lacked actual evidence': U.S. Prosecutor says Trump-Russia probe relied on opponents' tips

Another case of deadly gun violence in the United States - at least four people including the teen gunman were killed in a shooting in New Mexico on Monday. The shooter is believed to have acted alone and is not related to any group.

US gun violence: 18-year-old gunman kills three, injures two in New Mexico

Nigeria has run into more trouble with the United States as the US imposes visa restrictions on Nigerians for undermining the democratic process during the African nation's 2023 election. The US Secretary of state has said that the country would refuse to issue visas to certain people threatening the democratic election process in Nigeria.

The US imposes visa restrictions on Nigerians for undermining democratic process

Here we bring you a quick round-up of all the latest news and top headlines from all across the globe: A report by US special counsel says FBI lacked actual evidence to probe Trump's 2016 presidential campaign & relied too heavily on tips provided by political opponents.

US special counsel slams FBI probe of Trump-Russia collusion

US President Joe Biden has confirmed that he will go ahead with the original plan of visiting Japan for the G7 summit. While, the debt limit issue continues to linger on in the country, Biden says he will be meeting with the Congress leaders on Tuesday.

US President Biden to visit Japan for G7 summit, says 'hopeful of convincing Republicans'

Former White House advisor Amy Pope is set to become the first woman to head the United Nations’ migration agency after she won the vote on Monday (May 15) in Geneva against the Portuguese incumbent Antonio Vitorino. She will become the organisation’s first woman chief on October 1.&nbsp;

In a statement, the International Organization for Migration (IOM) said that her five-year term will begin in a couple of months. Following the win, Pope took to Twitter and wrote, “Humbled and honoured to be chosen as the next Director General of (IOM). I am ready to work with ALL our member states and global partners to unleash the opportunities provided by effective, orderly and humane migration.”&nbsp;

She had previously served as Deputy Director General for Management and Reform at IOM under the leadership of Antonio Vitorino who took office in 2018.

Pope was chosen by a secret ballot where IOM’s 175 member states voted her as the new director general. She was competing against Portugal’s former deputy prime minister Vitorino.&nbsp;

Pope also managed to secure the lead after a first round of voting, missing just 12 votes to reach the two-thirds majority needed to declare victory, but before the vote to go to a second round, Vitorino bowed out of the race.

According to reports, over 100 million people are forcibly displaced around the world and the more than 70-year-old agency seeks to ensure humane and orderly migration and intervenes where needed.

In a statement, following Pope’s win, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken said, “As IOM’s largest bilateral donor, the United States strongly supports Ms. Pope's vision and looks forward to working with her to implement the critical reforms necessary to create a more effective, inclusive IOM.”&nbsp;

Notably, UN agency chiefs who apply for a second term are typically shooed in without challenge and when Pope announced her candidacy in October, “it was a bit of a shock…It was not seen as a friendly move,” a European diplomat in Geneva acknowledged to AFP on condition of anonymity.&nbsp;

The 66-year-old incumbent Vitorino had previously called the vote unprecedented and said, “We have never happened to have an incumbent director general that faces a competition with one of his deputy generals. Let's call it an innovation,” as quoted by Reuters.&nbsp;

(With inputs from agencies)&nbsp; 
 
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Former White House advisor Amy Pope is set to become the first woman to head the United Nations’ migration agency after she won the vote on Monday (May 15) in Geneva against the Portuguese incumbent Antonio Vitorino.

Former White House advisor Amy Pope is set to become the first woman to head the United Nations’ migration agency after she won the vote on Monday (May 15) in Geneva against the Portuguese incumbent Antonio Vitorino. She will become the organisation’s first woman chief on October 1. In a statement, the International Organization for Migration (IOM) said that her five-year term will begin in a couple of months. Following the win, Pope took to Twitter and wrote, “Humbled and honoured to be chosen as the next Director General of (IOM). I am ready to work with ALL our member states and global partners to unleash the opportunities provided by effective, orderly and humane migration.” She had previously served as Deputy Director General for Management and Reform at IOM under the leadership of Antonio Vitorino who took office in 2018. Pope was chosen by a secret ballot where IOM’s 175 member states voted her as the new director general. She was competing against Portugal’s former deputy prime minister Vitorino. Pope also managed to secure the lead after a first round of voting, missing just 12 votes to reach the two-thirds majority needed to declare victory, but before the vote to go to a second round, Vitorino bowed out of the race. According to reports, over 100 million people are forcibly displaced around the world and the more than 70-year-old agency seeks to ensure humane and orderly migration and intervenes where needed. In a statement, following Pope’s win, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken said, “As IOM’s largest bilateral donor, the United States strongly supports Ms. Pope's vision and looks forward to working with her to implement the critical reforms necessary to create a more effective, inclusive IOM.” Notably, UN agency chiefs who apply for a second term are typically shooed in without challenge and when Pope announced her candidacy in October, “it was a bit of a shock…It was not seen as a friendly move,” a European diplomat in Geneva acknowledged to AFP on condition of anonymity. The 66-year-old incumbent Vitorino had previously called the vote unprecedented and said, “We have never happened to have an incumbent director general that faces a competition with one of his deputy generals. Let's call it an innovation,” as quoted by Reuters. (With inputs from agencies) WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

White House veteran Amy Pope becomes first woman to head UN's International Organization for Migration

Is US forgiving $ 1.73 trillion in students loans

Ukraine President Zelensky's aggressive measures against Russia have come to light thanks to top-secret intelligence information that was released in Washington through the instant messaging and community network Discord.

Russia-Ukraine War | Ukraine: Secrets leaked by US intelligence

The United States is reportedly close to finalising a major defence deal with Papua New Guinea that will allow its armed forces to access the Pacific country’s ports and airports—a move that is being seen as a counter to China’s growing influence in the Pacific region.

According to Nikkei Asia, the deal will be signed when United States President Joe Biden visits Papua New Guinea after the Group of Seven's May 19-21 summit in Hiroshima, Japan.

Biden will meet Papua New Guinea Prime Minister James Marape and other Pacific Island leaders, where they will "discuss ways to deepen cooperation on challenges critical to the region and to the United States such as combating climate change, protecting maritime resources, and advancing resilient and inclusive economic growth," White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre said in a statement this week.

The report, quoting officials familiar with the negotiations, noted that the deal would allow US troops to use certain facilities and areas in Papua New Guinea on the condition that they mutually agree.

The potential locations that are being discussed include Momote Airport, Jacksons International Airport, Nadzab Airport, Lombrum Naval Base, the Seaport of Lae and Port Moresby, according to the report.

<h2>Gravitas: Biden family knee-deep in corruption?</h2>

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US and China have been one-upping each other in a bid to grow influence in the Pacific region.

For US, Papua New Guinea is a key strategic area as it is located at the southern tip of the so-called second island chain, which includes Japan's Ogasawara Islands and the US territory of Guam.

It comes after China signed a major security pact with another Pacific country Solomon Islands in April 2022.

US believes that China may eventually establish a base there or use it as a resupply point and expand its range of activity close to the second island chain.

A state-backed Chinese company has won a contract to develop the international port in the Solomon Islands capital of Honiara.

Apart from the US, Papua New Guinea is also being courted by Beijing. Marape was invited to Beijing later this year, while Chinese President Xi Jinping visited the country in 2018.

For its part, the US last year hosted the first ever US-Pacific Island summit in Washington, DC, an event attended by Marape and other Pacific Island Forum leaders. The Biden administration has also sought to re-up security agreements with an array of Pacific island nations.

(With inputs from agencies)

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The United States is reportedly close to finalising a major defence deal with Papua New Guinea that will allow its armed forces to access the Pacific country’s ports and airports—a move that is being seen as a counter to China’s growing influence in the Pacific region.

The United States is reportedly close to finalising a major defence deal with Papua New Guinea that will allow its armed forces to access the Pacific country’s ports and airports—a move that is being seen as a counter to China’s growing influence in the Pacific region. According to Nikkei Asia, the deal will be signed when United States President Joe Biden visits Papua New Guinea after the Group of Seven's May 19-21 summit in Hiroshima, Japan. Biden will meet Papua New Guinea Prime Minister James Marape and other Pacific Island leaders, where they will "discuss ways to deepen cooperation on challenges critical to the region and to the United States such as combating climate change, protecting maritime resources, and advancing resilient and inclusive economic growth," White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre said in a statement this week. The report, quoting officials familiar with the negotiations, noted that the deal would allow US troops to use certain facilities and areas in Papua New Guinea on the condition that they mutually agree. The potential locations that are being discussed include Momote Airport, Jacksons International Airport, Nadzab Airport, Lombrum Naval Base, the Seaport of Lae and Port Moresby, according to the report. Gravitas: Biden family knee-deep in corruption? US and China have been one-upping each other in a bid to grow influence in the Pacific region. For US, Papua New Guinea is a key strategic area as it is located at the southern tip of the so-called second island chain, which includes Japan's Ogasawara Islands and the US territory of Guam. It comes after China signed a major security pact with another Pacific country Solomon Islands in April 2022. US believes that China may eventually establish a base there or use it as a resupply point and expand its range of activity close to the second island chain. A state-backed Chinese company has won a contract to develop the international port in the Solomon Islands capital of Honiara. Apart from the US, Papua New Guinea is also being courted by Beijing. Marape was invited to Beijing later this year, while Chinese President Xi Jinping visited the country in 2018. For its part, the US last year hosted the first ever US-Pacific Island summit in Washington, DC, an event attended by Marape and other Pacific Island Forum leaders. The Biden administration has also sought to re-up security agreements with an array of Pacific island nations. (With inputs from agencies) WATCH WION LIVE HERE

US eyes Papua New Guinea's airports, ports in defence pact to be signed during Biden’s trip

Moscow acknowledged on Friday that its forces had fallen back north of Ukraine's battlefield city of Bakhmut after a new Ukrainian offensive, in a retreat that the head of Russia's Wagner private army called a rout.

Russia acknowledges retreat north of Bakhmut, Wagner boss calls it a 'rout'

In the 6th Indian Ocean Conference, 2023, External Affairs Minister Dr. S Jaishankar said, "This is the sixth conference and over this period has evolved a lot. It is actually the premier platform to bring together all the countries of the Indian Ocean.

Committed to the well-being of Indian Ocean countries: Indian EAM S Jaishankar in Dhaka

A jury in Idaho, United States, found Lori Vallow Daybell guilty on all six counts, on Friday (May 12), for the murders of her two youngest children and her new husband’s previous wife. The verdict marked the end of a three-year investigation and seven-week trial which included bizarre claims of zombie children and apocalyptic prophecies.&nbsp;

Charges she was found guilty on

Vallow Daybell was charged with two counts of first-degree murder and three counts of conspiracy in 2019 after following the murders of seven-year-old Joshua “JJ” Vallow, 16-year-old Tylee Ryan, and Tammy Daybell, the former wife of her husband Chad Daybell.&nbsp;

The 49-year-old beautician was also convicted of grand theft as well as first-degree murder of the two children, a charge that indicates a more direct role in the crime committed. Vallow Daybell’s fifth husband, Chad Daybell also faces similar charges, however, his trial will take place separately and months later.&nbsp;

According to a 2021 indictment, the grand theft charges were based on the suspicion that Vallow Daybell changed bank accounts to collect Social Security benefits on behalf of her children after their deaths. Prosecutors said that she did not report her children as missing and kept collecting the money.&nbsp;

Story of Vallow Daybell

In 2006, Lori married Charles Vallow and the two raised Tylee (Lori's daughter from a previous marriage) and around eight years later Vallows adopted JJ, the grandson of Charles’ sister. According to Lori’s friends and family, her demeanour changed in 2017, after she began reading books by Chad Daybell, a religious author whose novels&nbsp;focused on the apocalypse and were loosely based on Mormon religious teachings, reported BBC.

In January 2019, Charles reportedly went to the police and said that his wife had become “unhinged” and thought she was a god preparing for the end of days. He also said that she threatened to murder him. Eventually, he filed for a divorce and as per court documents said he feared for his and the children’s safety.

In 2018, Lori and Chad had begun recording a religious podcast together. The duo also deemed people either “light” or “dark” spirits and called those who had been taken over by evil spirits “zombies”. The couple used to lead a group of people that met to pray and used to preach that the only way to free a body of the evil spirit was to embrace death.&nbsp;

The case began in 2019, when Vallow Daybell’s then-husband, Charles, was shot and killed by her brother, Alex Cox. A report by BBC, citing police records, said that Charles went to pick up his son from a house where his estranged wife was living with her brother when Cox shot him.&nbsp;

Cox then told police he acted in self-defence and was not charged and died later that year of what authorities determined were natural causes. According to prosecutors, Vallow Daybell was already in a relationship with Chad Daybell, who was still married to his wife, Tammy Daybell, at the time. So she eventually moved to Idaho with her kids and brother to be closer to him.

The bizarre revelations

Police records showed a friend told the authorities&nbsp;that Vallow Daybell called both children “zombies” prior to their disappearance. The two children were last seen alive in September 2019 before the police discovered they were missing a month after their extended family raised concerns.&nbsp;

Vallow Daybell’s former friend Melanie Gibb testified that Vallow Daybell believed people in her life had been taken over by evil spirits and turned into “zombies”. According to the testimony, at least four other people who had been described as “zombies” by the defendant, were later killed or shot at.&nbsp;

Investigators found that the couple used to call the children and Chad’s former wife “zombies”. Fremont County Prosecutor Lindsey Blake, last month, told the jurors that the children were missing for months before their remains were found buried in Chad Daybell’s yard.&nbsp;

Prosecutors produced 60 witnesses over the course of the trial and detailed the evidence of how the children were killed and their remains were found. Notably, the defence attorney&nbsp;did not call any witnesses during the trial, and Vallow Daybell declined to testify.&nbsp;

Among the testimonies was also of Vallow Daybell’s only surviving child, Colby Ryan, who accused her of murdering his siblings in a recorded jailhouse phone call.

Tylee’s DNA was found on a pickaxe and shovel in a shed on the property, said Blake. JJ’s body was wrapped in trash bags and duct tape which was binding his arms in front of him and wrapping around his head, reported the Associated Press. 
 
What happened in the court?

A jury of seven men and five women after hours of deliberation reached a unanimous guilty verdict on Friday afternoon. As the verdict was read, Vallow Daybell showed no expression. This comes as she has previously pleaded not guilty and is now facing life in prison when sentenced.&nbsp;

However, Judge Steven Boyce said sentencing will occur in about three months. The final arguments of the case were heard by the jurors on Thursday. The prosecutors said that the “defendant used money, power and sex to get what she wanted. It didn’t matter what it was.”

On the other hand, Defence Attorney Jim Archibald described Vallow Daybell as a “kind and loving mother to her children,” and it was after she met Chad Daybell, and fell for the “weird” apocalyptic religious claims of a cult leader.&nbsp;

He also went on to suggest that Daybell and Cox were the ones responsible for the deaths and her only crime was lying to the police about where her children were. According to Archibald, Daybell told her they had been married in several previous lives and she was a “sexual goddess” who was supposed to help him save the world by gathering 144,000 followers so Jesus could return.

JJ’s grandparents, Larry and Kay Woodcock spoke to the press outside the courtroom following the verdict and said, “JJ, I love you.” He added, “It started with two children. I said, ‘Where are the children? Where are the children?...Give me back my children,” as quoted by the AP.&nbsp;

Blake, in a statement, said they were “very pleased” with the verdict adding, “We want to assure each of you that we remain committed to pursuing justice for Tylee Ryan, JJ Vallow and Tammy Daybell.&nbsp;

Meanwhile, Archibald, on Thursday said, “No one here thinks Lori actually killed anyone, that’s why she’s being charged with conspiracy.” He added, “If you find her guilty, will that bring the kids back? Nope,” as quoted by CNN, citing East Idaho News.&nbsp;

 
(With inputs from agencies)&nbsp; 
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A jury in Idaho, United States, found Lori Vallow Daybell guilty on all six counts, on Friday (May 12), for the murders of her two youngest children and her new husband’s previous wife.

A jury in Idaho, United States, found Lori Vallow Daybell guilty on all six counts, on Friday (May 12), for the murders of her two youngest children and her new husband’s previous wife. The verdict marked the end of a three-year investigation and seven-week trial which included bizarre claims of zombie children and apocalyptic prophecies. Charges she was found guilty on Vallow Daybell was charged with two counts of first-degree murder and three counts of conspiracy in 2019 after following the murders of seven-year-old Joshua “JJ” Vallow, 16-year-old Tylee Ryan, and Tammy Daybell, the former wife of her husband Chad Daybell. The 49-year-old beautician was also convicted of grand theft as well as first-degree murder of the two children, a charge that indicates a more direct role in the crime committed. Vallow Daybell’s fifth husband, Chad Daybell also faces similar charges, however, his trial will take place separately and months later. According to a 2021 indictment, the grand theft charges were based on the suspicion that Vallow Daybell changed bank accounts to collect Social Security benefits on behalf of her children after their deaths. Prosecutors said that she did not report her children as missing and kept collecting the money. Story of Vallow Daybell In 2006, Lori married Charles Vallow and the two raised Tylee (Lori's daughter from a previous marriage) and around eight years later Vallows adopted JJ, the grandson of Charles’ sister. According to Lori’s friends and family, her demeanour changed in 2017, after she began reading books by Chad Daybell, a religious author whose novels focused on the apocalypse and were loosely based on Mormon religious teachings, reported BBC. In January 2019, Charles reportedly went to the police and said that his wife had become “unhinged” and thought she was a god preparing for the end of days. He also said that she threatened to murder him. Eventually, he filed for a divorce and as per court documents said he feared for his and the children’s safety. In 2018, Lori and Chad had begun recording a religious podcast together. The duo also deemed people either “light” or “dark” spirits and called those who had been taken over by evil spirits “zombies”. The couple used to lead a group of people that met to pray and used to preach that the only way to free a body of the evil spirit was to embrace death. The case began in 2019, when Vallow Daybell’s then-husband, Charles, was shot and killed by her brother, Alex Cox. A report by BBC, citing police records, said that Charles went to pick up his son from a house where his estranged wife was living with her brother when Cox shot him. Cox then told police he acted in self-defence and was not charged and died later that year of what authorities determined were natural causes. According to prosecutors, Vallow Daybell was already in a relationship with Chad Daybell, who was still married to his wife, Tammy Daybell, at the time. So she eventually moved to Idaho with her kids and brother to be closer to him. The bizarre revelations Police records showed a friend told the authorities that Vallow Daybell called both children “zombies” prior to their disappearance. The two children were last seen alive in September 2019 before the police discovered they were missing a month after their extended family raised concerns. Vallow Daybell’s former friend Melanie Gibb testified that Vallow Daybell believed people in her life had been taken over by evil spirits and turned into “zombies”. According to the testimony, at least four other people who had been described as “zombies” by the defendant, were later killed or shot at. Investigators found that the couple used to call the children and Chad’s former wife “zombies”. Fremont County Prosecutor Lindsey Blake, last month, told the jurors that the children were missing for months before their remains were found buried in Chad Daybell’s yard. Prosecutors produced 60 witnesses over the course of the trial and detailed the evidence of how the children were killed and their remains were found. Notably, the defence attorney did not call any witnesses during the trial, and Vallow Daybell declined to testify. Among the testimonies was also of Vallow Daybell’s only surviving child, Colby Ryan, who accused her of murdering his siblings in a recorded jailhouse phone call. Tylee’s DNA was found on a pickaxe and shovel in a shed on the property, said Blake. JJ’s body was wrapped in trash bags and duct tape which was binding his arms in front of him and wrapping around his head, reported the Associated Press. What happened in the court? A jury of seven men and five women after hours of deliberation reached a unanimous guilty verdict on Friday afternoon. As the verdict was read, Vallow Daybell showed no expression. This comes as she has previously pleaded not guilty and is now facing life in prison when sentenced. However, Judge Steven Boyce said sentencing will occur in about three months. The final arguments of the case were heard by the jurors on Thursday. The prosecutors said that the “defendant used money, power and sex to get what she wanted. It didn’t matter what it was.” On the other hand, Defence Attorney Jim Archibald described Vallow Daybell as a “kind and loving mother to her children,” and it was after she met Chad Daybell, and fell for the “weird” apocalyptic religious claims of a cult leader. He also went on to suggest that Daybell and Cox were the ones responsible for the deaths and her only crime was lying to the police about where her children were. According to Archibald, Daybell told her they had been married in several previous lives and she was a “sexual goddess” who was supposed to help him save the world by gathering 144,000 followers so Jesus could return. JJ’s grandparents, Larry and Kay Woodcock spoke to the press outside the courtroom following the verdict and said, “JJ, I love you.” He added, “It started with two children. I said, ‘Where are the children? Where are the children?...Give me back my children,” as quoted by the AP. Blake, in a statement, said they were “very pleased” with the verdict adding, “We want to assure each of you that we remain committed to pursuing justice for Tylee Ryan, JJ Vallow and Tammy Daybell. Meanwhile, Archibald, on Thursday said, “No one here thinks Lori actually killed anyone, that’s why she’s being charged with conspiracy.” He added, “If you find her guilty, will that bring the kids back? Nope,” as quoted by CNN, citing East Idaho News. (With inputs from agencies) WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

Explained | 'Doomsday cult' mom: Lori Vallow Daybell convicted of killing her two children, husband’s ex-wife

In the 6th Indian Ocean Conference, 2023, External Affairs Minister Dr S Jaishankar said, "This is the sixth conference and over this period has evolved a lot. It is actually the premier platform to bring together all the countries of the Indian Ocean.

A lawsuit was filed by the loved ones of those killed in the 2022 Buffalo grocery store mass shooting, on Friday (May 12) against a number of social media companies for allegedly, facilitating the convicted shooter’s “racist, antisemitic, and white supremacist propaganda.”&nbsp;

The 144-page lawsuit was filed by Buffalo civil attorney John Elmore on behalf of the victims’ families in the State Supreme Court in Buffalo, New York. It is also supported by Social Media Victims Law Center and Giffords Law Center to Prevent Gun Violence.&nbsp;

The lawsuit names tech giants like Facebook parent company Meta, Twitch owner Amazon, Google parent company Alphabet which also owns Youtube, and Snapchat owner Snap, as well as Discord, Reddit and what has been described as a dark website 4Chan. The convicted mass shooter Payton Gendron had used Twitch to live stream the rampage.

ALSO READ |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/who-is-payton-gendron-the-19-year-old-buffalo-mass-shooter-heres-what-his-parents-said-before-the-hearing-562637">Who is Payton Gendron, the 19-year-old Buffalo mass shooter? Here’s what his parents said before the hearing</a>

Among those named were also Vintage Firearms company and the RMA Armament company which are said to be the defendant’s gun dealer and body armour company as well as his parents. The mass shooting took place at a Tops store on the city’s predominantly Black east side in May 2022 where 10 Black people were killed.&nbsp;

Gendron, the 19-year-old mass shooter, was sentenced to life in prison earlier this year after a federal grand jury indicted Gendron on 27 counts involving weapons and hate crimes, including 10 counts involving hate crimes that resulted in fatalities.

What does the lawsuit say?

The lawsuit alleges, “Gendron was motivated to commit his heinous crime by racist, anti-Semitic, and white supremacist propaganda fed to him by the social media companies whose products he used”.

The lawsuit also said that social media allowed and aided the spread of Gendron’s hate where the live stream of his rampage came to be known as the “murder video” and was viewed by more than three million people. According to the suit, despite being taken down from Twitch the video was downloaded to 4chan.&nbsp;

ALSO WATCH |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/videos/us-buffalo-mass-shooter-sentenced-to-life-judge-says-no-mercy-562522">US: Buffalo mass shooter sentenced to life, judge says 'No mercy'</a>

The copy of the video also “appeared on Facebook next to advertisements,” the lawsuit stated, adding that while it was “eventually turned off banner advertising for searches related to the Buffalo shooting, the murder video continued to circulate on Facebook and, on information and belief, Facebook’s algorithms continued to recommend it.”

According to the suit, Gendron had become “addicted” to Facebook, Youtube, and Snapchat. It was “because of the dangerously defective and unreasonably dangerous algorithms powering Instagram, YouTube, and Snapchat, Gendron quickly became a problematic user of the Social Media Defendants’ products,” said the lawsuit.&nbsp;

“Taking full advantage of the incomplete development of Gendron’s frontal lobe, Instagram, YouTube, and Snapchat maintained his product engagement by directing him to increasingly extreme and violent content,” the lawsuit alleges.&nbsp;

It also blamed Instagram, YouTube, and Snapchat and said it is because their “algorithms were designed with the singular goal of maximizing Gendron’s product engagement over his psychological, emotional, and ethical well-being, by directing him to sites promoting hate and violence these products were functioning as designed and intended.” &nbsp;&nbsp;

ALSO READ |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/payton-gendron-the-teen-responsible-for-may-supermarket-mass-shooting-pleads-guilty-to-spend-life-in-prison-538303">Payton Gendron, the teen responsible for May supermarket mass shooting pleads guilty, to spend life in prison</a>

The lawsuit also alleges that he was not raised by a racist family, live in a radically polarised community or had a personal history of negative interactions with Black people, reported ABC News. The recently filed lawsuit also comes two days before Buffalo residents commemorate the one-year mark since the mass shooting.&nbsp;

“These posts led him down a rabbit hole of increasingly radical sites, where he was indoctrinated in white supremacist replacement theory and violent accelerationism,” said Matthew Bergman from Social Media Victims Law Center, in a statement.&nbsp;

He also went on to say that this “horrible crime was neither an accident nor coincidence, but rather the foreseeable result of social media companies’ intentional decision to maximize user engagement over public safety.” 
 
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A lawsuit was filed by the loved ones of those killed in the 2022 Buffalo grocery store mass shooting, on Friday (May 12) against a number of social media companies for allegedly, facilitating the convicted shooter’s “racist, antisemitic, and white supremacist propaganda.

A lawsuit was filed by the loved ones of those killed in the 2022 Buffalo grocery store mass shooting, on Friday (May 12) against a number of social media companies for allegedly, facilitating the convicted shooter’s “racist, antisemitic, and white supremacist propaganda.” The 144-page lawsuit was filed by Buffalo civil attorney John Elmore on behalf of the victims’ families in the State Supreme Court in Buffalo, New York. It is also supported by Social Media Victims Law Center and Giffords Law Center to Prevent Gun Violence. The lawsuit names tech giants like Facebook parent company Meta, Twitch owner Amazon, Google parent company Alphabet which also owns Youtube, and Snapchat owner Snap, as well as Discord, Reddit and what has been described as a dark website 4Chan. The convicted mass shooter Payton Gendron had used Twitch to live stream the rampage. ALSO READ | Who is Payton Gendron, the 19-year-old Buffalo mass shooter? Here’s what his parents said before the hearing Among those named were also Vintage Firearms company and the RMA Armament company which are said to be the defendant’s gun dealer and body armour company as well as his parents. The mass shooting took place at a Tops store on the city’s predominantly Black east side in May 2022 where 10 Black people were killed. Gendron, the 19-year-old mass shooter, was sentenced to life in prison earlier this year after a federal grand jury indicted Gendron on 27 counts involving weapons and hate crimes, including 10 counts involving hate crimes that resulted in fatalities. What does the lawsuit say? The lawsuit alleges, “Gendron was motivated to commit his heinous crime by racist, anti-Semitic, and white supremacist propaganda fed to him by the social media companies whose products he used”. The lawsuit also said that social media allowed and aided the spread of Gendron’s hate where the live stream of his rampage came to be known as the “murder video” and was viewed by more than three million people. According to the suit, despite being taken down from Twitch the video was downloaded to 4chan. ALSO WATCH | US: Buffalo mass shooter sentenced to life, judge says 'No mercy' The copy of the video also “appeared on Facebook next to advertisements,” the lawsuit stated, adding that while it was “eventually turned off banner advertising for searches related to the Buffalo shooting, the murder video continued to circulate on Facebook and, on information and belief, Facebook’s algorithms continued to recommend it.” According to the suit, Gendron had become “addicted” to Facebook, Youtube, and Snapchat. It was “because of the dangerously defective and unreasonably dangerous algorithms powering Instagram, YouTube, and Snapchat, Gendron quickly became a problematic user of the Social Media Defendants’ products,” said the lawsuit. “Taking full advantage of the incomplete development of Gendron’s frontal lobe, Instagram, YouTube, and Snapchat maintained his product engagement by directing him to increasingly extreme and violent content,” the lawsuit alleges. It also blamed Instagram, YouTube, and Snapchat and said it is because their “algorithms were designed with the singular goal of maximizing Gendron’s product engagement over his psychological, emotional, and ethical well-being, by directing him to sites promoting hate and violence these products were functioning as designed and intended.” ALSO READ | Payton Gendron, the teen responsible for May supermarket mass shooting pleads guilty, to spend life in prison The lawsuit also alleges that he was not raised by a racist family, live in a radically polarised community or had a personal history of negative interactions with Black people, reported ABC News. The recently filed lawsuit also comes two days before Buffalo residents commemorate the one-year mark since the mass shooting. “These posts led him down a rabbit hole of increasingly radical sites, where he was indoctrinated in white supremacist replacement theory and violent accelerationism,” said Matthew Bergman from Social Media Victims Law Center, in a statement. He also went on to say that this “horrible crime was neither an accident nor coincidence, but rather the foreseeable result of social media companies’ intentional decision to maximize user engagement over public safety.” WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

US: Social media companies sued over Buffalo grocery store mass shooting

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Explained | 'Doomsday cult' mom: Lori Vallow Daybell convicted of killing her two children, husband’s ex-wife

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US: Social media companies sued over Buffalo grocery store mass shooting