After Mueller Report, Investigations Continue – After two years, special counsel Robert Mueller delivered the report on his investigation into Russian interference in the 2016 presidential election. Although the report remains secret, Attorney General William Barr says that there was not enough evidence to charge President Trump with conspiracy, although he admitted that Mueller left open the possibility of charges of obstruction of justice. Democrats in Congress are demanding that the report be made public and calling for follow-up investigations of their own. Meanwhile, President Trump declared himself vindicated and is vowing in retaliation to end the federal health care law better known as Obamacare. José López Zamorano reports from Washington.
New Controls Sought for Facial Recognition Technologies – Facial recognition technologies that help identify people using their faces from photos or videos are increasingly used by law enforcement agencies to conduct mass surveillance and capture criminal suspects. However, some warn that, without proper controls, these systems can jeopardize privacy and security, particularly that of the most vulnerable: immigrants and people of color. To establish rules for the biometric identification industry, lawmakers from Washington state are proposing a first-of-its-kind package of restrictions on the use of this software. Jose Luis Buen Abad reports from Seattle.
Bribes at Top Colleges Raise Questions about Admissions System – In a scandalous case of corruption in university admissions, several wealthy parents have been charged with bribery and fraud to get their children into elite universities. As the extent of the problem comes to light, some are asking why this system that favors people with money and influence is rarely examined, while affirmative action programs to help disadvantaged minorities are often viewed with suspicion and challenged in court. Dr. Cecilia Rios-Aguilar of UCLA, a specialist in access to education, spoke with Samuel Orozco on the program Línea Abierta.
