Electric Shocks and Tied Crucifixion-Style: The Life of a Scam-Mill Worker

Tens of thousands of people from dozens of nations have been trafficked to cyberfraud hubs in Myanmar, where they must con victims or endure brutal punishment.

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Beatings, torture and electric shocks: freed scam compound workers allege horrific abuse

Lured by the promise of well-paying jobs in Southeast Asia, thousands instead allegedly end up enslaved in jail-like compounds and forced to carry out online scams. “The Chinese would shock me with ...
The Guardian - 3d
Agriculture Department tries to rehire fired workers tied to bird flu response

The Agriculture Department is scrambling to rehire several workers it fired as part of President Donald Trump’s broad cuts because they were involved in the government’s response to the ongoing ...
ABC News - Feb. 19
Woman uproots life to take job as federal worker, then fired in mass layoffs weeks later

Last month, Katie Sandlin uprooted her life in a small town in Alabama to accept a job at the National Institutes of Health in Washington, D.C. Three weeks later, before she even unpacked her ...
CBS News - Feb. 20
Nikola, Electric Truck Maker, Files for Bankruptcy

The company, which once enjoyed a surging stock price, struggled to turn its plans for electric and hydrogen trucks into a viable business.
The New York Times - Feb. 19
Teenager's school shooting plan 'extremely shocking'

Luton Council acknowledges "emotional difficulty" the revelation has had on families and staff.
BBC News - 3d
TikTok seeks a deal and China brings a chip ‘shock’

The inside story on the Asia tech trends that matter, from Nikkei Asia and the Financial Times
Financial Times - 1d
What Trump’s closer ties to Russia mean for China

Rapprochement with Moscow over war in Ukraine serves Beijing’s aim of multipolar world order
Financial Times - 1d
Gene Hackman, a Life in Pictures

A Hollywood superstar and two-time Oscar winner who stood out by blending in.
The New York Times - 13h
Troubled electric vehicle maker Nikola files for bankruptcy protection

Troubled electric vehicle maker Nikola is filing for for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection
ABC News - Feb. 19
ADAC test shows winter weather can slash electric car range

Yahoo News - 6d
BMW delays £600m electric Mini factory upgrade in UK over 'uncertainty'

The vehicle manufacturer says "multiple uncertainties" in the industry led to its decision.
BBC News - 5d
Europe must cut electricity taxes, warn Iberdrola and EDP bosses

Energy company chiefs say EU must ‘urgently’ remove various taxes and simplify bills
Financial Times - 3d
Chile hit by major blackout, leaving millions without electricity

State of emergency and overnight curfew declared after blackout strands commuters and knocks out traffic lights. Authorities in Chile have declared a state of emergency and overnight curfew after a ...
The Guardian - 2d
Trump’s Plan to Repeal Climate Policy Could Upend Shift to Electric Cars

The administration is setting the stage for Congress to repeal a longstanding waiver that allows California to set its own pollution standards. State officials say the effort is illegal.
The New York Times - 1d
Kia Has Revealed Its Electric Camper to Rival VW’s ID.Buzz

As the EV4 sedan and EV2 mini SUV round out Kia's electric offering, the brand confirms its PV5 Light Camper is inbound, and an even larger model is likely on the way.
Wired - 19h
Shock over Bibas body mix-up is latest hurdle in fragile ceasefire

Yahoo News - 6d
White House Social Media Accounts Post Shocking Deportation Memes

The Trump administration used the White House’s official social media accounts to post a political themed message for Valentine’s Day.
The New York Times - 6d
Shocked by Trump, Europe Turns Its Hopes to Germany’s Election

Germany’s economy is stalled and its politics fractured. But it sees an opening for a new chancellor to lead Europe’s response to a changing America.
The New York Times - 4d
United Nations rejects shocking U.S. resolution on Ukraine-Russia war

The United Nations General Assembly rejected a U.S. resolution urging the end to the Ukraine-Russia war. The drafted resolution included no acknowledgment of Russian aggression or Ukrainian ...
CBS News - 3d
Why a Golfer’s First Career Win Shocked Everyone, Including Himself

Brian Campbell, one of the shortest hitters on the PGA Tour, defeated the 20-year-old prodigy Aldrich Potgieter.
The New York Times - 3d
NHS chief’s shock resignation puts focus on Streeting’s vision for health service

Minister reveals that tighter Whitehall control will form part of government’s ‘plan for change’
Financial Times - 2d
Nvidia passes its quarterly future-shock stress test

Every quarter is a new nail-biter for the chipmaker
Financial Times - 1d
Remembering Gene Hackman's life and legacy

You've probably heard descriptions of actors like "they filled the screen" or "they showed range." If you didn't know what those really meant, Gene Hackman's four decades of examples pretty much ...
CBS News - 7h
Three players tied atop international leaderboard in Mexico Open at VidantaWorld

Six of the seven PGA Tour events this year had international winners, and the Mexico Open kept up with trend Thursday.
Yahoo Sports - Feb. 21
Asus Prime GeForce RTX 5070 Ti Review: Mid-Tier Goodness

This is a very nice 1440p video card, if you can get it.
Wired - 3d
UAE set to invest billions in Italy as countries seek closer ties

Yahoo News - 3d
As Trump Courts Putin, China’s Leader Xi Emphasizes Close Ties With Russia

The Chinese and Russian leaders reaffirmed their relationship in a video call on Monday, an apparent rebuff to the idea that the Trump administration could drive a wedge between them.
The New York Times - 3d
Russia and Indonesia hold talks to strengthen ties on defense and security

A top Russian security official and Indonesia’s defense minister have held talks in Jakarta as Moscow’s war on Ukraine entered its fourth year
ABC News - 3d
FirstFT: Ukraine agrees minerals deal in bid to improve US ties

Also in today’s newsletter, tax cut win for Trump, and a Big Read on the anti-vax movement
Financial Times - 1d
WATCH: Mike Eruzione wears Johnny Gaudreau jersey in electric USA vs. Canada pregame atmosphere

The American fans returned the favor after "The Star-Spangled Banner" was booed in Montreal
CBS Sports - Feb. 21
AI’s power demands spark new joint GE Vernova–NRG electricity plant project

NRG flags need for new partnerships to fuel power development.
MarketWatch - 1d
Blake Lively, Sarah Michelle Gellar and others remember Michelle Trachtenberg: 'She was electricity'

Blake Lively, Sarah Michelle Gellar and other Hollywood figures are paying tribute to Michelle Trachtenberg, who died at 39.
Los Angeles Times - 1d
WATCH: How to add joy to your life

Joy can improve your mental health, lower stress, and help you feel calm. ABC News' Jaclyn Lee breaks down the steps you can take to add joy to your life.
ABC News - Feb. 18
Lockdown saved my life, says woman with OCD

Alys-Mai, 22, says being able to stay in during lockdown helped her control her condition.
BBC News - Feb. 20
Thomas Friedman on Trump’s Desire to Be President for Life

The president wants to create a revolution abroad. This Opinion columnist would love to see a plan.
The New York Times - Feb. 21
Watch: A real-life flying car takes to the skies

From science-fiction to the real world, flying cars are here - but could the concept actually take off?
BBC News - 5d
"Weathering" and its effect on poor health and life expectancy

Arline Geronimus' research shows how societal pressures like institutional racism, classism, financial stressors or the environmental can impact not just the length of life, but also the quality of ...
CBS News - 4d
Reject the quiet life — there is no growth without competition

The UK government should learn from the sorry history of cartels and monopolies
Financial Times - 3d
Capitol agenda: Big, beautiful budget on life support

Politico - 2d