# data[].attributes.body
people are starving because they cant get enough food because of their income

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
Mariana Mejias can't afford to buy a bag of rice in Venezuela.

She lives in Mariche, an extremely poor neighborhood in the country's capital, Caracas, which suffers from severe food and medical shortages like the rest of the country.

If the government doesn't provide a subsidized monthly bag of food, Mejias would go hungry. Skyrocketing prices have made food at her local market prohibitive. The monthly food bag, worth 10,000 bolivares ($2.25), includes rice, milk, pasta, beans and a few other items.

A bag of rice at Mejias' local store goes for 8,000 bolivares -- out of reach for her monthly income of 219,000 bolivares or $49 on the unofficial but often used exchange rate calculated by dolartoday.com.

"Things are horrible here, I don't know how people are even surviving," says Mejias, a 62-year-old house cleaner who earns minimum wage plus a government pension.

Related: GM officially leaves Venezuela

Venezuela's socialist government, led by President Nicolas Maduro, raised the minimum wage 60% on Sunday to 200,021 bolivares ($45) a month, including food stamps.

But that won't buy much at the supermarket.

In March, a basket of basic grocery items -- including eggs, milk and fruit -- cost 772,614 bolivares, or close to four times the monthly minimum wage, according to the Venezuela-based Center of Social Analysis and Documentation, or CENDAS in the Spanish acronym.

Food shortages and soaring prices have led to troubling results. Last year, the average Venezuelan living in extreme poverty lost about 19 pounds due to the lack of food. Many of its citizens had to skip meals, according to a national poll.

Related: Venezuela raises minimum wage 60%

The food crisis is worsening as Venezuela dives deeper into chaos. On Monday, Maduro issued a decree that may allow his party to rewrite the country's constitution more to its liking. On Tuesday, Maduro suspended Venezeulans' right to carry firearms as weeks of anti-government protests stretch into the spring.

Amid the political chaos, food price hikes are staggering. A carton of 30 eggs cost 9,600 bolivares in March, up from 1,180 bolivares in March 2015, CENDAS reports.

"Food prices have gone sky high and the minimum wage is not enough for basic needs," says Eugenia Morin, 59, who describes herself as a middle-class housewife. She protested against Maduro on Tuesday.

While the 60% minimum wage hike may sound significant, inflation is expected to rise 720% this year and over 2,000% next year, according to the IMF. One bolivar is worth less than one cent.

Prices for basics are skyrocketing each month. Compared to February, prices in March for milk and cheese rose 33%, meat 19%, fish 17% and fruits 14%. Even mayonnaise cost 11% more.

Related: Venezuela only has $10 billion left

That's only the beginning. For toiletries the increases are even worse. Deodorant prices shot up 93% in March from February; detergent 62%; shaving razors 53%; toilet paper 27%.

Venezuelans either face food and toiletry shortages at supermarkets with empty shelves -- or skyrocketing prices for whatever items are available.

Medical shortages also illustrate the country's humanitarian crisis.

"If you need to have an operation, nowadays, you must bring your own medicines to the hospital," adds Morin, the housewife. "There are no supplies to attend the most basic emergencies."

Related: Cash-strapped Venezuela gave $500k to Trump's inauguration

Food shortages are the result of the government's long running policies. It focused on exporting oil and largely abandoned its abundant farmland. The government started importing the vast majority of food for its citizens.

But even when oil prices were high, that policy was barely sustainable -- food shortages starting popping up when oil was worth over $100 a barrel.

But with oil now hovering around $50 a barrel, Maduro's administration can't afford to import enough food and also pay down its debts to foreign creditors. For now, it's prioritized debt payments over shipping in food.

That end result: rising hunger and no visibility of where the next meal will come from.

One Venezuelan spent hours on Tuesday morning in Caracas waiting for a grocery store to open, hoping to buy food. The 60-year old man, who declined to give his name, wasn't hopeful he'd be able to buy food.

"Nobody knows what's going to arrive or what we could find inside. So we queue almost every day of the week, losing time and working hours to look for food," he said.

CNNMoney (Caracas) First published May 3, 2017: 10:47 AM ET

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
Venezuela: Where minimum wage can't buy groceries

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
She lives in Mariche, an extremely poor neighborhood in the country's capital, Caracas, which suffers from severe food and medical shortages like the rest of the country. If the government doesn't provide a subsidized monthly bag of food, Mejias would go hungry. Skyrocketing prices have made food at her local market prohibitive.

# data[].attributes.body
people are starving because they cant get food because they are getting minimum wage

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
Mariana Mejias can't afford to buy a bag of rice in Venezuela.

She lives in Mariche, an extremely poor neighborhood in the country's capital, Caracas, which suffers from severe food and medical shortages like the rest of the country.

If the government doesn't provide a subsidized monthly bag of food, Mejias would go hungry. Skyrocketing prices have made food at her local market prohibitive. The monthly food bag, worth 10,000 bolivares ($2.25), includes rice, milk, pasta, beans and a few other items.

A bag of rice at Mejias' local store goes for 8,000 bolivares -- out of reach for her monthly income of 219,000 bolivares or $49 on the unofficial but often used exchange rate calculated by dolartoday.com.

"Things are horrible here, I don't know how people are even surviving," says Mejias, a 62-year-old house cleaner who earns minimum wage plus a government pension.

Related: GM officially leaves Venezuela

Venezuela's socialist government, led by President Nicolas Maduro, raised the minimum wage 60% on Sunday to 200,021 bolivares ($45) a month, including food stamps.

But that won't buy much at the supermarket.

In March, a basket of basic grocery items -- including eggs, milk and fruit -- cost 772,614 bolivares, or close to four times the monthly minimum wage, according to the Venezuela-based Center of Social Analysis and Documentation, or CENDAS in the Spanish acronym.

Food shortages and soaring prices have led to troubling results. Last year, the average Venezuelan living in extreme poverty lost about 19 pounds due to the lack of food. Many of its citizens had to skip meals, according to a national poll.

Related: Venezuela raises minimum wage 60%

The food crisis is worsening as Venezuela dives deeper into chaos. On Monday, Maduro issued a decree that may allow his party to rewrite the country's constitution more to its liking. On Tuesday, Maduro suspended Venezeulans' right to carry firearms as weeks of anti-government protests stretch into the spring.

Amid the political chaos, food price hikes are staggering. A carton of 30 eggs cost 9,600 bolivares in March, up from 1,180 bolivares in March 2015, CENDAS reports.

"Food prices have gone sky high and the minimum wage is not enough for basic needs," says Eugenia Morin, 59, who describes herself as a middle-class housewife. She protested against Maduro on Tuesday.

While the 60% minimum wage hike may sound significant, inflation is expected to rise 720% this year and over 2,000% next year, according to the IMF. One bolivar is worth less than one cent.

Prices for basics are skyrocketing each month. Compared to February, prices in March for milk and cheese rose 33%, meat 19%, fish 17% and fruits 14%. Even mayonnaise cost 11% more.

Related: Venezuela only has $10 billion left

That's only the beginning. For toiletries the increases are even worse. Deodorant prices shot up 93% in March from February; detergent 62%; shaving razors 53%; toilet paper 27%.

Venezuelans either face food and toiletry shortages at supermarkets with empty shelves -- or skyrocketing prices for whatever items are available.

Medical shortages also illustrate the country's humanitarian crisis.

"If you need to have an operation, nowadays, you must bring your own medicines to the hospital," adds Morin, the housewife. "There are no supplies to attend the most basic emergencies."

Related: Cash-strapped Venezuela gave $500k to Trump's inauguration

Food shortages are the result of the government's long running policies. It focused on exporting oil and largely abandoned its abundant farmland. The government started importing the vast majority of food for its citizens.

But even when oil prices were high, that policy was barely sustainable -- food shortages starting popping up when oil was worth over $100 a barrel.

But with oil now hovering around $50 a barrel, Maduro's administration can't afford to import enough food and also pay down its debts to foreign creditors. For now, it's prioritized debt payments over shipping in food.

That end result: rising hunger and no visibility of where the next meal will come from.

One Venezuelan spent hours on Tuesday morning in Caracas waiting for a grocery store to open, hoping to buy food. The 60-year old man, who declined to give his name, wasn't hopeful he'd be able to buy food.

"Nobody knows what's going to arrive or what we could find inside. So we queue almost every day of the week, losing time and working hours to look for food," he said.

CNNMoney (Caracas) First published May 3, 2017: 10:47 AM ET

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
Venezuela: Where minimum wage can't buy groceries

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
She lives in Mariche, an extremely poor neighborhood in the country's capital, Caracas, which suffers from severe food and medical shortages like the rest of the country. If the government doesn't provide a subsidized monthly bag of food, Mejias would go hungry. Skyrocketing prices have made food at her local market prohibitive.

# data[].attributes.body
The Azure Window, Malta's massive flat-topped sea arch, was the pride of the tiny archipelago nation.

Now it only exists in pictures.

What's a little country to do when its most significant natural wonder simply... crumbles?

The fall of the mega rock arch wasn't the first and won't be the last on Earth. Australia's London Arch collapsed in 1990, Aruba's Natural Bridge fell in 2005 and Morocco's Agadir Arches followed in 2016.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
Now it only exists in pictures.

What's a little country to do when its most significant natural wonder simply... crumbles?

The fall of the mega rock arch wasn't the first and won't be the last on Earth. Australia's London Arch collapsed in 1990, Aruba's Natural Bridge fell in 2005 and Morocco's Agadir Arches followed in 2016.

But Malta's Azure Window, known as Tieqa tad-Dwejra in Maltese, graced glossy marketing brochures since tourism began here and in many ways, the 50-meter-tall arch came to represent Malta itself.

Adventure travelers flung themselves off it for thrilling videos, while tourists flocked to it for selfies and photos.

It also adorned the backdrop of Hollywood films such as "Clash of the Titans" (1981), "The Count of Monte Cristo" (2002) and the first season of "Game of Thrones."

"I never thought I'd see it gone in my life," says Philip Spiteri, a local chef and owner of Ta Philip restaurant in Gozo, the Maltese island where the geological wonder once stood.

"I consider myself lucky to be alive during its time on Earth. It was a rare natural wonder created by nature and nature took it."

Powerful gale-force winds in March 2017 led to the Window's fall after years of noticeable erosion. Now, no visible rock is left above sea level. The rubble-filled sea floor below is a new sight for divers.

According to tour guide Maria Buckle, who had visited the Window countless times over her 20-year career, Dwejra is still a special place.

"It's rich in flora and fauna, and it's being considered as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Here, boat rides head into the Dwejra's inland sea cave and although the Azure Window won't be waiting at the end of the ride as the boat heads into open sea, the tour is still a special experience that will happen this season, just like every season before."

Paul Bugeja, chief executive of the Malta Tourism Authority, says there are lessons learned from the Window's demise but no shortage of other riches to promote, especially as Malta's capital Valletta prepares to take on the title of European Union Capital of Culture in 2018.

"While the Azure Window is sadly missed, this has us very much aware of the importance of safeguarding and preserving our heritage," adds Bugeja.

"Several initiatives have been taken and others are still ongoing to restore and preserve our natural and man-made sights."

He points out Malta has another window worth discovering, the lesser-known Wied il-Mielah Window.

Buckle says she has a richer kind of tour experience for her groups. The sad loss of the beloved Azure Window may be part of the narrative but what remains on Malta makes her proud.

"You can barely see us on a map and that's part of the reason visitors underestimate us -- because we are such a small country," she says.

"The truth is the Azure Window was just the beginning."

Here's a list of Malta's natural wonders to plan on seeing.

Wied il-Mielah Window

This lesser-known, natural limestone arch protrudes on the northwestern coast of Gozo in Gharb, offering visitors a similar experience to the Azure Window.

The rocky shores where the Azure Window once stood remain rich in biodiversity, vertical cliffs, dry valley systems and freshwater wetlands.

Dwejra is also a significant bird breeding and nesting site.

Inland sea and the Dwejra Cave

Dwejra's inland sea is a lagoon of seawater linked to the Mediterranean by a narrow natural arch. Here, boat rides take guests through the Dwejra Cave and its 80-meter tunnel that rises like a Gothic cathedral, passing smaller caves and fantastic coral, before entering the open sea.

The Azure Window once looked over this 10-meter-wide inland sea pool where a large crevice leads to the open sea. Running down 25 meters, it has also been described as a "vertical chimney" making it a hotspot for divers.

Fungus Rock

Also in Dwejra, a 65-metre-high rock called Fungus Rock got its name during the reign of the Knights of St. John who guarded it for its rare medicinal plant Malta Fungus (Cynomorium coccineum).

Blue Grotto

The Blue Grotto is a tremendous limestone arch in southern Malta. At over 30 meters high, it's a collection of six caves weathered over time, with dazzling rocks shining in shades of orange, purple and green.

St. Peter's Pool

One of the most stunning natural swimming pools in Malta is a series of flattened rocks that tower above azure waters, a favorite for sun worshippers.

Tucked in a little bay with a view to Malta's uninhabited Filfla island, Ghar Lapsi is another of Malta's natural azure swimming pools. The cove is a walking and rock-climbing destination, reached by a winding road from just outside Siggiewi.

Dingli Cliffs

Near the village of Dingli on Malta's western coast is the highest point of the Maltese archipelago. The Dingli Cliffs tower at 253 meters above sea level over terraced fields and open ocean views of Filfla.

Comino's Blue Lagoon

Centered between Malta and Gozo is the tiny 1.4 square-mile Comino, a car-free island famous for the Blue Lagoon. The sheltered inlet of aquamarine water over white sand is stunning.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.keywords[]
malta mourns azure window loss - cnn.com

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
After the Azure Window: Malta's many marvels

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Now it only exists in pictures. What's a little country to do when its most significant natural wonder simply... crumbles? The fall of the mega rock arch wasn't the first and won't be the last on Earth. Australia's London Arch collapsed in 1990, Aruba's Natural Bridge fell in 2005 and Morocco's Agadir Arches followed in 2016.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
Mariana Mejias can't afford to buy a bag of rice in Venezuela.

She lives in Mariche, an extremely poor neighborhood in the country's capital, Caracas, which suffers from severe food and medical shortages like the rest of the country.

If the government doesn't provide a subsidized monthly bag of food, Mejias would go hungry. Skyrocketing prices have made food at her local market prohibitive. The monthly food bag, worth 10,000 bolivares ($2.25), includes rice, milk, pasta, beans and a few other items.

A bag of rice at Mejias' local store goes for 8,000 bolivares -- out of reach for her monthly income of 219,000 bolivares or $49 on the unofficial but often used exchange rate calculated by dolartoday.com.

"Things are horrible here, I don't know how people are even surviving," says Mejias, a 62-year-old house cleaner who earns minimum wage plus a government pension.

Related: GM officially leaves Venezuela

Venezuela's socialist government, led by President Nicolas Maduro, raised the minimum wage 60% on Sunday to 200,021 bolivares ($45) a month, including food stamps.

But that won't buy much at the supermarket.

In March, a basket of basic grocery items -- including eggs, milk and fruit -- cost 772,614 bolivares, or close to four times the monthly minimum wage, according to the Venezuela-based Center of Social Analysis and Documentation, or CENDAS in the Spanish acronym.

Food shortages and soaring prices have led to troubling results. Last year, the average Venezuelan living in extreme poverty lost about 19 pounds due to the lack of food. Many of its citizens had to skip meals, according to a national poll.

Related: Venezuela raises minimum wage 60%

The food crisis is worsening as Venezuela dives deeper into chaos. On Monday, Maduro issued a decree that may allow his party to rewrite the country's constitution more to its liking. On Tuesday, Maduro suspended Venezeulans' right to carry firearms as weeks of anti-government protests stretch into the spring.

Amid the political chaos, food price hikes are staggering. A carton of 30 eggs cost 9,600 bolivares in March, up from 1,180 bolivares in March 2015, CENDAS reports.

"Food prices have gone sky high and the minimum wage is not enough for basic needs," says Eugenia Morin, 59, who describes herself as a middle-class housewife. She protested against Maduro on Tuesday.

While the 60% minimum wage hike may sound significant, inflation is expected to rise 720% this year and over 2,000% next year, according to the IMF. One bolivar is worth less than one cent.

Prices for basics are skyrocketing each month. Compared to February, prices in March for milk and cheese rose 33%, meat 19%, fish 17% and fruits 14%. Even mayonnaise cost 11% more.

Related: Venezuela only has $10 billion left

That's only the beginning. For toiletries the increases are even worse. Deodorant prices shot up 93% in March from February; detergent 62%; shaving razors 53%; toilet paper 27%.

Venezuelans either face food and toiletry shortages at supermarkets with empty shelves -- or skyrocketing prices for whatever items are available.

Medical shortages also illustrate the country's humanitarian crisis.

"If you need to have an operation, nowadays, you must bring your own medicines to the hospital," adds Morin, the housewife. "There are no supplies to attend the most basic emergencies."

Related: Cash-strapped Venezuela gave $500k to Trump's inauguration

Food shortages are the result of the government's long running policies. It focused on exporting oil and largely abandoned its abundant farmland. The government started importing the vast majority of food for its citizens.

But even when oil prices were high, that policy was barely sustainable -- food shortages starting popping up when oil was worth over $100 a barrel.

But with oil now hovering around $50 a barrel, Maduro's administration can't afford to import enough food and also pay down its debts to foreign creditors. For now, it's prioritized debt payments over shipping in food.

That end result: rising hunger and no visibility of where the next meal will come from.

One Venezuelan spent hours on Tuesday morning in Caracas waiting for a grocery store to open, hoping to buy food. The 60-year old man, who declined to give his name, wasn't hopeful he'd be able to buy food.

"Nobody knows what's going to arrive or what we could find inside. So we queue almost every day of the week, losing time and working hours to look for food," he said.

CNNMoney (Caracas) First published May 3, 2017: 10:47 AM ET

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
Venezuela: Where minimum wage can't buy groceries

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
She lives in Mariche, an extremely poor neighborhood in the country's capital, Caracas, which suffers from severe food and medical shortages like the rest of the country. If the government doesn't provide a subsidized monthly bag of food, Mejias would go hungry. Skyrocketing prices have made food at her local market prohibitive.

# data[].attributes.body
Casey Thomas, a minor league baseball player died at the age of 24

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
Athletics Prospect Casey Thomas Dies at Age 24

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Oakland Athletics minor league shortstop Casey Thomas has died at the age of 24. The A's issued a statement Tuesday announcing Thomas' death, via MLB ...

# data[].attributes.body
7 bounty hunters shot at the wrong car killing 1 man and injuring another.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
Police: 7 bounty hunters shot at wrong car, charged with murder

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
NASHVILLE, Tenn. - Seven bounty hunters who descended on the wrong car outside a Wal-Mart have been indicted on first-degree...

# data[].attributes.body
A man in Florida is facing 15 years in prison for waving a gun in a Facebook Live video. Christopher Brinson, a convicted felon with charges dating back decades, was seen dancing while holding a gun outside a convenience store in the March 20 video. The video was spotted by the FBI, who then flagged it for agents from the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
A man in Florida is facing 15 years in prison for waving a gun in a Facebook Live video.

Christopher Brinson, a convicted felon with charges dating back decades, was seen dancing while holding a gun outside a convenience store in the March 20 video. The video was spotted by the FBI, who then flagged it for agents from the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives.

Now Brinson, 31, of Fort Lauderdale is being charged with a federal crime for his possession of the gun. Due to his previous felonies, he's legally prohibited from owning, handling or touching a firearm. In the video posted on his friend's Facebook page, he could be seen holding the weapon and pointing it toward the camera.

Brinson's attorney, Lawrence Hashish, has argued that the video was a "theatrical performance" and that the gun in the video was a fake.
FACEBOOK CLAMPS DOWN ON SICK VIDEOS, BRINGS IN 3,000 ADDITIONAL REVIEWERS
"He was singing and dancing outside a convenience store, not being threatening in any way," Hashish told the Sun Sentinel. "Nobody even called the police."

Plus, he added, the gun was a fake.

"There's no evidence and the government cannot prove it's a real gun," Hashish told CBS. "He would know better than to put himself in that position with a real gun, but he felt that since this was fake it would mean nothing. He had nothing to worry about. It's like having a water pistol."

But court records have disputed that assertion.

Brinson pointed the gun so close to the cell phone camera that a firearms expert was able to vouch that the weapon was a "genuine Glock pistol." The color, shape and locations of the serial number plate on the weapon all indicated it was real, investigators said. The gun in question has not been found by authorities, despite a search of Brinson, his car and his home.
UK POLITICIANS SLAM FACEBOOK OVER ILLEGAL CONTENT
He's previously been convicted of at least eight felonies and at the time of his April 20 arrest was free on bond while facing a state residential burglary charge.

Brinson has not yet indicated if he will fight the burglary charges.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
Florida man facing 15 years in prison for waving gun in Facebook video

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
A man in Florida is facing 15 years in prison for waving a gun in a Facebook Live video. Christopher Brinson, a convicted felon with charges dating back decades, was seen dancing while holding a gun outside a convenience store in the March 20 video.

# data[].attributes.body
at an auction there was a very harsh crash

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.keywords[]
deadly crash at auto auction - cnn video

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
Deadly crash at auto auction - CNN Video

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Massachusetts State Police report fatalities and several injuries after a crash at an auto auction site in Billerica, Massachusetts.

# data[].attributes.body
New study found that sextortion is very common.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
Children and women are being manipulated online in a common, scary phenomenon called 'sextortion.'

It's the practice of using personal information -- often photos obtained by illicit means -- to extort victims into providing more sexually explicit photos and videos.

Take Luis Mijangos, a sextortion offender who managed to trick women and teenage girls into downloading malware that would allow him to remotely take control of their computers.

He could turn on their webcams and microphones and spy on them, as well as see everything they typed. Sometimes, he'd pretend to be their boyfriends in order to get them to send him pornographic materials of themselves -- and then he used that to extort them more. It's a vicious cycle.

In all, Mijangos had at least 230 victims, 44 of whom were under the age of 18. He was eventually caught and got six years in prison. He has one year left of his sentence. His story is detailed in one of two new Brookings Institution reports released Wednesday on the topic of sextortion.

"It's a new form of sexual assault because you can do it without being in the person's presence -- and you can do it at scale," said Senior Fellow Benjamin Wittes during a webcast discussing his findings.

CNNMoney Special Report: Revenge Porn

He examined 78 recent cases with more than 3,000 victims, in a first-of-its-kind report on the issue.

The victims are overwhelmingly minors (78%), and the offenders tend to have not one, but many victims. The perpetrators are all male.

"This is really a men problem," Wittes said. "Beyond the fact that they're all men, I have not been able to find any common thread."

The adult victims are women, while the child victims are both boys and girls.

Teens are particularly vulnerable, said Wittes, because of the prevalence of "sexting." This creates digital files that, if obtained by the wrong person, can be used against them. They also don't tend to use two-step authentication or have strong passwords.

But whereas revenge porn is often about public humiliation, sextortion victims are privately being controlled. They fear coming forward to law enforcement in case images and content are publicly disclosed by perpetrators.

Related: The dark side of livestreaming: Periscoping a rape

"It's the tip of a much, much larger iceberg. We are certain that the data is incomplete .... that the problem is more widespread than we are able to capture," said Wittes. "It's a remarkably common form of sex crime ... These are cases of remote coercion of sex in a fashion that's closer to a sexual assault than it is to anything you would call innocent."

According to his findings, there could be more than 6,000 sextortion victims.

Part of the intention in releasing the reports is to not only raise awareness, but also to propose a federal law to ensure that all perpetrators are charged with at least one crime.

As with other forms of internet harassment like revenge porn, there aren't specific laws against sextortion, meaning there's no uniform sentencing either. State courts, for instance, tend to have weaker laws and fewer resources, which means those cases tend to receive softer sentences or are even turned away.

Wittes notes that while child pornography laws can be extended to sextortion of child victims, adult victims aren't protected as strongly. Crimes often cross state -- and even country -- lines.

"It's the most malicious and sadistic pattern of behavior I've ever come across," said lawyer Carrie Goldberg during the webcast.

CNNMoney (New York) First published May 11, 2016: 1:01 PM ET

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
Sextortion is scarily common, new study finds

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
It's the practice of using personal information -- often photos obtained by illicit means -- to extort victims into providing more sexually explicit photos and videos. Take Luis Mijangos, a sextortion offender who managed to trick women and teenage girls into downloading malware that would allow him to remotely take control of their computers.

# data[].attributes.body
MLB prospect dies at the age of 24

# data[].attributes.body
Florida man facing 15 years in prison for waving gun in Facebook video

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
A man in Florida is facing 15 years in prison for waving a gun in a Facebook Live video.

Christopher Brinson, a convicted felon with charges dating back decades, was seen dancing while holding a gun outside a convenience store in the March 20 video. The video was spotted by the FBI, who then flagged it for agents from the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives.

Now Brinson, 31, of Fort Lauderdale is being charged with a federal crime for his possession of the gun. Due to his previous felonies, he's legally prohibited from owning, handling or touching a firearm. In the video posted on his friend's Facebook page, he could be seen holding the weapon and pointing it toward the camera.

Brinson's attorney, Lawrence Hashish, has argued that the video was a "theatrical performance" and that the gun in the video was a fake.
FACEBOOK CLAMPS DOWN ON SICK VIDEOS, BRINGS IN 3,000 ADDITIONAL REVIEWERS
"He was singing and dancing outside a convenience store, not being threatening in any way," Hashish told the Sun Sentinel. "Nobody even called the police."

Plus, he added, the gun was a fake.

"There's no evidence and the government cannot prove it's a real gun," Hashish told CBS. "He would know better than to put himself in that position with a real gun, but he felt that since this was fake it would mean nothing. He had nothing to worry about. It's like having a water pistol."

But court records have disputed that assertion.

Brinson pointed the gun so close to the cell phone camera that a firearms expert was able to vouch that the weapon was a "genuine Glock pistol." The color, shape and locations of the serial number plate on the weapon all indicated it was real, investigators said. The gun in question has not been found by authorities, despite a search of Brinson, his car and his home.
UK POLITICIANS SLAM FACEBOOK OVER ILLEGAL CONTENT
He's previously been convicted of at least eight felonies and at the time of his April 20 arrest was free on bond while facing a state residential burglary charge.

Brinson has not yet indicated if he will fight the burglary charges.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
Florida man facing 15 years in prison for waving gun in Facebook video

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
A man in Florida is facing 15 years in prison for waving a gun in a Facebook Live video. Christopher Brinson, a convicted felon with charges dating back decades, was seen dancing while holding a gun outside a convenience store in the March 20 video.

# data[].attributes.body
In her toughest words yet, Prime Minister Theresa May has accused European officials of trying to influence the result of Britain’s general election with threats of harsh Brexit terms.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
In her toughest words yet, Prime Minister Theresa May has accused European officials of trying to influence the result of Britain's general election with threats of harsh Brexit terms.

Speaking outside Downing Street on Wednesday, May adopted a tough tone, saying eurocrats do not want the talks to succeed and for Britain to "prosper" after Brexit. She also suggested that Britain's negotiating position has been misrepresented in the European press.
"In the past few days we have seen just how tough these talks are likely to be. Britain's negotiating position in Europe has been misrepresented in the continental press. "The European commission's negotiating stance has hardened. Threats against Britain have been issued by European politicians and officials. All of these acts have been deliberately timed to affect the result of the general election that will take place on June 8."
She added: "The events of the last few days have shown that whatever our wishes and however reasonable the positions of Europe's other leaders, there are some in Brussels who do not want these talks to succeed and who do not want Britain to prosper."

She appeared to be referring to leaks in a German newspaper about her now infamous dinner meeting at Downing Street last week with European Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker.

According to Frankfurter Allgemeine, May and Juncker "clashed" over a number issues, with the eurocrat quoted as saying he was "10 times more skeptical than I was before."

May initially dismissed the leaks as Brussels gossip, though reportedly said she could be a "bloody difficult woman."

Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn said May is playing "games with Brexit in the hope of winning advantage for the Tories."
"By winding up the public confrontation with Brussels, the Prime Minister wants to wrap the Conservative party in the Union Jack and distract attention from her government's economic failure and rundown of our public services. "But Brexit is too important to be used as a political game in this election. "These are vital negotiations for every person in Britain and for the future of our country. But Theresa May is putting party interest ahead of the national interest."
He added: "Only Labour can be trusted to negotiate a Brexit deal that puts jobs and living standards first. Labour will negotiate a Brexit for the many not the few."

Nicola Sturgeon, Scotland's first minister, has accused May of poisoning the atmosphere of the Brexit talks and called her speech "deeply irresponsible."

Despite her defiant words outside Downing Street on Wednesday, May also insisted: "Britain means no harm to our friends and allies. We want a deep and special partnership with the EU, and we want the EU to succeed."

I've always been ready for the possibility of nuclear war. I just never thought it would be with Belgium.
- Robert Hutton (@RobDotHutton) May 3, 2017

Britain's economic future now a pawn in @theresa_may election game playing. Gross stuff
- Alastair Campbell (@campbellclaret) May 3, 2017

In a statement issued following a meeting the Queen to mark the dissolution of parliament, May said the winner of the election would face "one overriding task" - getting the "best possible deal" for the UK.

Beyond her unexpected verbal attack on unnamed figures in Brussels, May also used the opportunity to hit out at her political opponents in Britain.
"While there is enormous opportunity for Britain as we leave the European Union, if we do not get this right, the consequences will be serious. "And they will be felt by ordinary, working people across the country. This Brexit negotiation is central to everything. If we don't get the negotiation right, your economic security and prosperity will be put at risk and the opportunities you seek for your families will simply not happen. "If we don't get the negotiation right, if we let the bureaucrats of Brussels run over us, we will lose the chance to build a fairer society with real opportunity for all."
She added that voters face a "very simple" choice on June 8 between her and a "coalition of chaos" led by Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn.

"With me you will get a strong and stable leadership ... or you will get Jeremy Corbyn with a hung parliament and a coalition of chaos."
Her comments come after the EU's chief Brexit negotiator said talks would not be concluded "quickly and painlessly."

Unveiling his first detailed vision of how talks with the UK will take shape in Brussels, Michel Barnier set down a series of tough EU demands on citizens' rights and a hefty financial settlement he says is just about settling accounts.

He said Britain would have to honor its financial commitments and hinted that would entail paying for a number of EU programs, citing the example of aid pledges Brussels has made to Ukraine. He insisted the "divorce bill" was not a punishment for the UK leaving.

Barnier's demands on the rights of citizens - which cover Europeans currently living in the UK but also those who have done so in the past and will in the future - are likely to cause serious issues for Prime Minister Theresa May, who has pledged to end freedom of movement.

Relations between the two sides have soured over the past few days.

On Tuesday, Guy Verhofstadt, the EU's lead Brexit negotiator, trolled May on Twitter over her "strong and stable" leadership.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
Battle with Brussels: Theresa May accuses EU of trying to influence general election (VIDEO)

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
In her toughest words yet, Prime Minister Theresa May has accused European officials of trying to influence the result of Britain's general election with threats of harsh Brexit terms. Speaking outside Downing Street on Wednesday, May adopted a tough tone, saying eurocrats do not want the talks to succeed and for Britain to "prosper" after Brexit.

# data[].attributes.body
Guardians of the Galaxy somewhat bucks the Marvel sequel trend

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
Marvel's origin stories are where it shines the brightest, while first sequels (see "Iron Man," "Thor," "Avengers: Age of Ultron") have generally registered on the lower end of its cinematic accomplishments.

By that measure, "Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2" somewhat bucks the trend, despite an underwhelming villain and a meandering midsection, which are partly offset by a strong opening and finish.

While the first movie assembled a team of space-faring misfits, this one takes off with them carrying out a mission for a race of golden aliens that goes spectacularly wrong. Forced to flee across the galaxy, the gang encounters a benefactor (Kurt Russell) who claims to be the long-lost father of Peter Quill, a.k.a. Starlord (Chris Pratt), who grew up knowing only his mother before being whisked off to become a space-traveling thief.

Writer-director James Gunn again milks plenty of comedy from the rest of the gang, perhaps foremost from the ill-tempered raccoon Rocket (voiced by Bradley Cooper) and the hulking, literal-minded Drax (Dave Bautista). At the same time, so-called "Baby Groot" -- a pint-sized, indisputably adorable version of the monosyllabic, anthropomorphic tree -- feels like nothing quite so much as an attempt to sell plush toys.

There is also continued flirtation between Quill and the green-skinned alien Gamora (Zoe Saldana), who is wrestling with her own family problems. In this case, the friction comes from her sister Nebula (Karen Gillan), who's determined to kill her for complicity in the torment she suffered at their hands of their evil father, Thanos.

"Guardians" blasts off with an initial burst of good-natured energy before indulging in some ill-advised sequences, foremost among them a slow-motion fight scene that cavalierly notches a distasteful body count, even in this over-the-top setting.

The movie rallies, eventually, with its not-so-subtle message about family being what you make of it, cheeky humor and deftly chosen classic song soundtrack, weaving in tunes like Looking Glass' "Brandy" and Cat Stevens' "Father and Son." There's even an asteroid-dodging space flight that owes a spiritual debt to "The Empire Strikes Back."

Poised to kick off the summer box-office season in rousing fashion, "Guardians" can hardly escape the fact that it is now part of Marvel's larger machinery, including an appearance in the upcoming Avengers movie "Infinity War" and another already announced sequel. The latter is teased during the teeming closing credits, and the brief snippet shown frankly looks more enticing, at least for comic-book fans, than the somewhat sketchy plot of "Vol. 2."

"You are wasting a lot of time here," Starlord grouses at one point, which might as well be a commentary about the movie's middle.

In terms of sheer entertainment value, though, this "Guardians of the Galaxy" ultimately shares just enough with its central quintet -- rather heroically getting the job done, even if the trip from here to there can be a bit disjointed and messy.

"Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2" opens May 5 in the U.S. It's rated PG-13.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.keywords[]
review: 'guardians of the galaxy vol. 2' somewhat bucks the marvel sequel trend - cnn

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
'Guardians of the Galaxy' somewhat bucks the Marvel sequel trend

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Marvel's origin stories are where it shines the brightest, while first sequels (see "Iron Man," "Thor," "Avengers: Age of Ultron") have generally registered on the lower end of its cinematic accomplishments. By that measure, "Guardians of the Galaxy Vol.

# data[].attributes.body
Facebook hires 3,000 to help monitor videos. There's already 4500 monitors.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
Facebook is planning to hire thousands of people to help review user content following multiple high-profile incidents of people sharing videos of suicide and murder.

Mark Zuckerberg, Facebook's CEO and cofounder, said the company will add 3,000 people to its global community operations team to help "Review the millions of reports we get every week." That is in addition to the 4,500 people already on the team.

"Over the last few weeks, we've seen people hurting themselves and others on Facebook -- either live or in video posted later," Zuckerberg wrot e in a Facebook post Wednesday. "It's heartbreaking, and I've been reflecting on how we can do better for our community."

CNNMoney (New York) First published May 3, 2017: 10:27 AM ET

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
Facebook adding 3,000 reviewers to combat violent videos

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Mark Zuckerberg, Facebook's CEO and cofounder, said the company will add 3,000 people to its global community operations team to help "Review the millions of reports we get every week." That is in addition to the 4,500 people already on the team.

# data[].attributes.body
Former Portland Trail Blazers and Minnesota Timberwolves guard Brandon Roy was injured in a shooting over the weekend.

Los Angeles sheriffs confirmed Roy was one of four people shot Saturday, per James Queally of the Los Angeles Times reported. The sheriffs added all the victims are expected to survive, and there is no known motive.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
Brandon Roy Reportedly Injured in Shooting at Outdoor Gathering

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Former Portland Trail Blazers and Minnesota Timberwolves guard Brandon Roy was reportedly injured in a shooting over the weekend...

# data[].attributes.body
This robot can drill into a human skull in 2 minutes. They say that it is very useful to perform brain surgeries

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
A drill-wielding robot that bores into your skull for a quick spot of impromptu brain surgery sounds like a scene from a future sci-fi dystopia, in which AI treats Earth's surviving humans like lab rats.

In fact, it's a new research project from the good folks at the University of Utah, who have developed a computer-driven automated drill for cranial surgery. That means safely cutting an opening -- called a bone flap -- in the skull so that the brain can be accessed underneath. While it would take an experienced surgeon 2 hours to carry out this task using hand-drilling, the University of Utah's robot is able to achieve the same thing in just 2.5 minutes. That's 50x faster than was previously possible -- which for some reason makes us all kinds of nervous!

While that may be the case, though, there are actually excellent reasons for doing this kind of surgery very rapidly. In other words, it's not the brain surgery equivalent of Bishop the android's ultra-fast knife trick from Aliens, that's just there to show how good robots have gotten.

Carrying out cranial surgery quickly means less time for a wound to be open and a patient to be anesthetized, thereby offering a reduced risk of infection.

Using the technology, a patient is first imaged using a CT scan, allowing for the gathering of bone data and information about sensitive structures like nerves and major veins. The surgeons then program the drill's optimal route using 3D modeling tech, which Alagar Krishnan Balaji, Associate Professor in Mechanical Engineering, describes as being a bit "like Google Maps" -- only on a much, much smaller scale. Due to the fine-grain precision of the robot, it's possible for it to drill down within 1mm of sensitive structures.

"The specific advantage is that machines, when designed correctly, do not get tired or fatigued and are capable of performing repetitive tasks consistently and well," Balaji told Digital Trends. "However, you do need to inform the machine what it is supposed to do very explicitly. The surgeon is still involved with the surgery, but for a tedious job like bone removal, the machine takes over and does the preliminary tasks quickly -- thus allowing the surgeon to focus on other later aspects of the surgery with greater efficiency and reduced fatigue."

According to Balaji, there were several engineering challenges involved with the project, such as the ability to link the 3D imaging technology seamlessly with the surgical drill, as well as making a robot portable enough that it could be maneuvered around operating theaters.

"As a mechanical engineer who specializes in machining of materials such as metals, the different material and incredibly complex geometry encountered in neurosurgery was [also] particularly challenging," he continued.

At present, the robot is just a proof-of-concept that's yet to make it into hospitals. But with its impressive tech demo, researchers at the University of Utah hope that it will be only a matter of time before it becomes a regularly-used tool in the surgeon's arsenal.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
This terrifying robot can drill through your skull in 2 minutes -- and that's a good thing

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
A drill-wielding robot that bores into your skull for a quick spot of impromptu brain surgery sounds like a scene from a future sci-fi dystopia, in which AI treats Earth's surviving humans like lab rats. In fact, it's a new research project from the good folks at the University of Utah, who have developed a computer-driven automated drill for cranial surgery.

# data[].attributes.body
Celtics get a clutch overtime victory to get 2-0 in the series with Isaiah Thomas dropping 53 points 129-119

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
When you're a kid shooting hoops on a playground, you're not expecting to encounter an NBA All-Star, but that's exactly what happened to 14-year-old Robbie McNulty.

The Boston Globe captured the heartwarming story of McNulty, and the special day he unexpectedly met Thomas. Shooting the ball in a playground by himself, he couldn't believe his eyes when walking towards him was Isaiah Thomas.

Being a diehard Celtics fan, McNulty knew exactly who it was. The two of them ended up playing for a few minutes, and the teenager had a special story to tell his family and friends the next day.
MORE: Eight NBA players destined to decline in 2016-17
"I love just little interactions like that," Thomas told the Globe. "I know it means a lot, because I was once in his shoes. I was once that kid at games wanting a player to just wave to me and acknowledge me, so I know that feeling and I know that's my job now.

Added Thomas: "I knew maybe even if he didn't know who I was it would be cool to just rebound for him and shoot with him for the 10 minutes that I did."

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
Celtics' Isaiah Thomas played basketball with kid on playground

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
When you're a kid shooting hoops on a playground, you're not expecting to encounter an NBA All-Star, but that's exactly what happened to 14-year-old Robbie McNulty. The Boston Globe captured the heartwarming story of McNulty, and the special day he unexpectedly met Thomas.

# data[].attributes.headline
Mr. Kohl - Adam Jones  who plays Center Field for the Baltimore Orioles said racist comments won't be tolerated. Racists slurs poured down from fans while playing in Boston yesterday. 

# data[].attributes.subject
Mr. Kohl - Adam Jones  who plays Center Field for the Baltimore Orioles said racist comments won't be tolerated. Racists slurs poured down from fans while playing in Boston yesterday. 

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
The racists picked on the wrong guy.

Orioles center fielder Adam Jones is one of the few major leaguers, African-American or otherwise, who is not afraid to call people out, not afraid to speak his mind.

He did it last season, explaining the reluctance of baseball players to take stands on controversial issues by telling USA Today, "Baseball is a white man's sport. We already have two strikes against us already, so you might as well not kick yourself out of the game."

And he did it again Monday night, revealing to reporters from USA Today and Boston Globe that he was subjected to racist taunts and a bag of peanuts being thrown at him in the dugout at Fenway Park.

Jones will tell you what happened. He will tell you his opinion of what happened. And he will do it so eloquently, so rationally, that he completely disarms any critics who are waiting to pounce on him, seeking any opening to puncture his argument.

Sorry. You lose. Not happening.

This is a player who has proudly represented his country, done extensive community work in his adopted Baltimore and native San Diego and generally acted as a model for how a 21st-century athlete should conduct himself.

When Jones said that something went down at Fenway, something went down at Fenway.

And when he spoke, he spoke for others who previously had been reluctant to reveal the horror confirmed Tuesday not just by visiting players, but also by Red Sox players in a meeting with owner John Henry and team president Sam Kennedy.

Fenway, billed by the Red Sox as "America's Most Beloved Ballpark," is the most uncomfortable major-league stadium for African-American players, the one out of 30 where they are called the "N" word.

The Red Sox will take action, and they damn well should take action; Kennedy told reporters that while the team had not yet determined its final strategy, racial taunts will result in ejection from the park, plus the revocation of tickets for a year, perhaps for life.

I'm guessing that Henry and Kennedy wish they had spoken with their own players sooner, but how were they to know it was even an issue?

Fact: I'm Black too ✊🏽Literally stand up for @SimplyAJ10 tonight and say no to racism. We as @RedSox and @MLB fans are better than this.

- Mookie Betts (@mookiebetts) May 2, 2017

It was Jones who brought the matter out in the open, Jones who initiated further discussion, Jones who deserves a "thank you" from the Red Sox in addition to the apology that the team already has given him.

The racists evidently did not understand they were attacking not only one of the game's leading spokesmen, but also someone who was willing to confront them head on.

Jones, 31, will speak about any issue that disturbs him. He never comes off as angry, takes pains not to come off as angry, mindful of the stereotype that some wish to perpetuate.

Equally important, he backs up his words with substance.

Jones was the emotional center of the U.S. team that won the World Baseball Classic, playing in honor of family members who had served in the military.

He has appeared in Boston on behalf of former Red Sox great David Ortiz's charity, even mentored some young Red Sox players, according to Pete Abraham of the Boston Globe.

We are talking about a three-time nominee for the Roberto Clemente Award, baseball's top humanitarian honor - and the 2015 winner of the Marvin Miller Man of the Year, awarded by the players to the one major leaguer who best combines on-field performance and community dedication.

Jones' distinguished resume makes what happened at Fenway on Monday night all the more disgraceful, but no player should hear racist taunts, not anywhere, not ever. And, in the wake of the Jones incident, Yankees left-hander CC Sabathia told reporters, "I've never been called the 'N' word anywhere but in Boston."

The Red Sox will move forward, instituting harsher penalties for anyone who engages in racist conduct. Other clubs should follow suit, even if they believe that they are somehow insulated from such behavior. The Rangers' Delino DeShields told reporters Tuesday night that he experienced a racial incident at Yankee Stadium in 2015.

The forcefulness of the Red Sox's response was heartening. So were the remarks from the mayor of Boston and governor of Massachusetts. But frankly, change needs to begin in the stands. Fans need to self-police all abusive behavior, joining together to show the best versions of their cities and themselves.

Once again, Adam Jones has exposed an ugly truth, eloquently, rationally, conclusively.

Sorry, racists, you don't get a do-over.

You blew it. You picked on the wrong guy.

Play Now!

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
Fenway 'racists' messed with the wrong person in Orioles' Adam Jones | FOX Sports

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
The racists picked on the wrong guy. Orioles center fielder Adam Jones is one of the few major leaguers, African-American or otherwise, who is not afraid to call people out, not afraid to speak his mind. He did it last season, explaining the reluctance of baseball players to take stands on controversial issues by telling USA Today, "Baseball is a white man's sport.