标签： North America

During her address at the prestigious WSJ Awards, renowned singer Billie Eilish made a compelling appeal to the world’s billionaires, urging them to significantly increase their charitable donations. The event, which saw the presence of prominent figures such as Mark Zuckerberg and George Lucas, provided a platform for Eilish to voice her concerns about wealth disparity and the urgent need for philanthropic efforts. Eilish emphasized that the ultra-wealthy have a moral obligation to redistribute their fortunes to address pressing global issues, ranging from poverty to climate change. Her speech resonated with many, sparking a broader conversation about the role of wealth in societal betterment and the responsibilities of those who possess it. This call to action highlights the growing expectation for the affluent to contribute more substantially to charitable causes, reflecting a shift in public sentiment towards greater accountability and social responsibility.

In a shocking revelation of systemic corruption, 20 individuals, including 14 current and former law enforcement officers, have been charged in Mississippi and Tennessee for allegedly accepting bribes from drug traffickers in exchange for police protection. This scandal, described by officials as a ‘monumental betrayal of public trust,’ stems from a multi-year undercover operation led by federal agents posing as narcotics dealers. Among the accused are two Mississippi sheriffs, highlighting the depth of the corruption. The investigation was initiated after federal officials received complaints from actual drug traffickers about being forced to pay bribes to officers. The bribery network reportedly extended beyond the Mississippi Delta region into Memphis, Tennessee, and Miami, Florida. US Attorney Clay Joyner for the Northern District of Mississippi disclosed that some officers had accepted bribes ranging from $20,000 to $37,000. The sting operation involved undercover agents presenting fake narcotics, which the defendants allegedly believed to be 25kg of cocaine. FBI Deputy Director Andrew Bailey condemned the accused officers, stating they had ‘sold out the public’ and disgraced the badge, undermining the integrity of law enforcement across the region. This crackdown coincides with broader US efforts to combat drug trafficking, including recent air strikes in South America targeting alleged narcotics operations.

Five individuals have been indicted in connection with the fatal overdoses of three young adults, including Robert De Niro’s grandson, Leandro De Niro-Rodriguez, in 2023. The accused—Bruce Epperson, Eddie Barreto, Grant McIver, John Nicolas, and Roy Nicolas—are alleged to have operated a fentanyl distribution network that targeted teenagers and young adults in New York City through social media platforms and encrypted messaging apps. Authorities have linked their activities to the deaths of Leandro De Niro-Rodriguez, Akira Stein (daughter of Blondie co-founder Chris Stein), and an unnamed third victim. The defendants face charges of conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute fentanyl-laced counterfeit prescription opioid pills. According to prosecutors, the network sold thousands of these deadly pills between January and July 2023, resulting in at least three fatalities. Ricky Patel, a special agent in charge of Homeland Security Investigations in New York, described the case as a tragic loss of young lives with immense potential. If convicted, the defendants could face a mandatory minimum sentence of 20 years in prison, with a maximum of life imprisonment. Both Robert De Niro and Chris Stein have publicly expressed their grief and gratitude for the ongoing legal proceedings.

Shirley Chung, a 61-year-old woman born in South Korea, was adopted by a US family in 1966 when she was just a year old. Her biological father, an American serviceman, left shortly after her birth, and her mother, unable to care for her, placed her in an orphanage in Seoul. Shirley grew up in Texas, living a typical American life—attending school, getting a driver’s license, and working as a bartender. She married, had children, and became a piano teacher, never questioning her American identity. However, in 2012, her life unraveled when she discovered she was not a US citizen after losing her Social Security card. This revelation left her feeling betrayed by the adults in her life who failed to secure her citizenship. Shirley is not alone. Estimates suggest that between 18,000 and 75,000 American adoptees lack citizenship, with some even unaware of their status. Many have faced deportation to their birth countries, with tragic consequences, such as the case of a South Korean adoptee who took his own life in 2017 after being deported. The issue stems from historical gaps in adoption laws. While the Child Citizenship Act of 2000 granted automatic citizenship to adoptees born after February 1983, those adopted before then were excluded. Advocacy groups have been pushing for legislative changes, but efforts have stalled in Congress. The problem has intensified under President Donald Trump’s administration, which has prioritized deportations, leaving adoptees and their families in fear. Shirley and others like her are calling for compassion and action, urging the government to fulfill the promise of citizenship made to them as children.