Depending on your point of view, a banana duct taped to a white wall or a highly regarded work of art sold for $6.24 million on Wednesday at a Sotheby's auction. The "Comedian" by Maurizio Cattelan is only a banana that has been adhered to the wall at a precise distance of 160 centimeters from the floor using a strip of silver duct tape. When the piece first exhibited at Art Basel Miami Beach in December 2019, Sotheby's anticipated it would sell for $1.5 million. Art critic Nancy Durrant stated in a Sotheby's film about the artwork that Art Basel had to remove the banana from the wall because to the large crowds it attracted, which caused concern about the other featured artworks. The "announcement as a new original work by Maurizio Cattelan that captured the world's attention immediately,...

For putting medications into IV bags, which resulted in at least one death, a Dallas anesthesiologist received a sentence of 190 years in federal prison. Five counts of purposeful drug adulteration, four counts of tampering with consumer products that caused significant bodily harm, and one offense of tampering with consumer products were the charges against Dr. Raynaldo Ortiz in April. In a statement following the sentencing, U.S. attorney Leigha Simonton of the Northern District of Texas likened Ortiz to a shooter "spraying bullets indiscriminately into a crowd." "But he wielded an invisible weapon, a cocktail of heart-stopping drugs, concealed inside an IV bag designed to help patients heal," Simonton stated. In federal court on Wednesday, Ortiz was given a sentence of 2,280 months, whi...

Because President-elect Donald Trump and Republicans on Capitol Hill are likely to take those savings into account in tax discussions next year, prospective car buyers who are thinking about buying an electric vehicle may need to move quickly to receive a Biden-era EV tax credit of up to $7,500, according to legal and automotive experts. According to Jamie Wickett, a lawyer at the law firm Hogan Lovells who focuses on federal tax policy, energy, and the environment, there is no doubt that there is a genuine possibility that the EV credit will disappear in 2025. To lower the chance of the credit expiring, if you're a consumer looking to buy an EV, I would definitely delay that until 2024, whether it's through a lease or an outright purchase, Wickett said. Through 2032, the Inflation Reducti...

The trial judge has decided that if the man convicted of killing four University of Idaho students two years ago is found guilty, he could be executed. The defense team for defendant Bryan Kohberger attempted to convince District Court Judge Steven Hippler to prevent his August trial from turning into a capital murder case during a hearing held this month in Boise, Idaho. In his ruling on Tuesday, Hippler stated that Kohberger's defense had not succeeded in offering an execution method in Idaho that is not "unduly painful," such as death by firing squad or lethal injection. "Defendant must come forward with an alternative method," he said. "He has not done so, thus foreclosing his claim." For a first-degree murder conviction, Idaho offers life in prison with at least 10 years spent before ...

According to two senior law enforcement sources, the FBI is collaborating with local law enforcement agencies to ascertain whether a recent wave of thefts at the residences of professional athletes is linked to a transnational criminal organization, such as one from South America. Officials stated on Wednesday that the inquiry is still ongoing and that they have not yet determined who is specifically at fault. According to the officials, the case's course could alter. According to police investigations, two key members of the Kansas City Chiefs, tight end Travis Kelce and quarterback Patrick Mahomes, had their homes broken into just a few hours apart last month. According to an incident description from the Cass County Sheriff's Office, officers were dispatched to Mahomes' residence in Bel...

Washington The House Ethics Committee did not agree to publicly release a report outlining their extensive investigation of former Representative Matt Gaetz, President-elect Donald Trump's choice for attorney general, during their closed-door meeting on Wednesday. Before Gaetz, a Republican from Florida, is confirmed by the Judiciary Committee next year, a number of Senate Republicans and Democrats have stated that they would like to see the House report on the lengthy probe. The Ethics Committee had investigated claims that Gaetz used illegal drugs and committed sexual misconduct, received inappropriate gifts, provided preferential treatment to those with whom he had personal ties, and impeded the House investigation. Gaetz refuted the accusations. Reps. Susan Wild, D-Pa., and Michael G...

MLB announced on Tuesday that Chris Sale of the Atlanta Braves and Tarik Skubal of the Detroit Tigers had earned the Cy Young Awards for the finest pitchers in their respective leagues. Skubal received the American League award, and Sale took home the National League accolade. Leading the NL and the AL in wins, ERA, and strikeouts, both earned Triple Crowns in their respective leagues this season. In his debut season with the Braves, Sale went 18-3 with a 2.38 ERA and 225 strikeouts. Since 2011, Sale has been the first player in the National League to earn the Triple Crown for pitching. Additionally, Skubal became the first player in the AL to win the Triple Crown for pitching in a full season since 2011. His 18-4 record, 228 strikeouts, and 2.39 ERA were strikingly identical to Sale's. On...

Before the GOP most certainly loses its veto-proof supermajority in the Legislature next year, Republican lawmakers in North Carolina passed a comprehensive plan that will deprive the state's future Democratic governor and attorney general of important powers. The bill would give the state auditor, who will be occupied by Republican Dave Boliek following his victory over incumbent Democrat Jessica Holmes in the election on November 5, the power to select representatives to the state's election board, which regulates North Carolina's voting process. Since Attorney General Josh Stein defeated Republican Lt. Gov. Mark Robinson, the governor's office, which now holds that authority, will continue to be in Democratic hands. The State Board of Elections is traditionally governed by the same part...

The Republican Party has taken control of the Senate and the House, and President-elect Donald Trump has secured a second term in office. However, a few congressional contests are still uncalled. Even while Republicans will control both houses—three House seats and one Senate seat are still up for grabs—it is unclear how big their majorities will be and how simple it would be for them to carry out Trump's agenda. Here are the races that the NBC News Decision Desk has not yet called, with votes still being tabulated (learn more about how those races are called). The lone Senate race left to call Pennsylvania: Despite Trump's victory, the state's Senate contest is being recounted. Against Republican Dave McCormick, a former hedge fund CEO who failed to secure the GOP Senate nominee in 202...

This week, Kaiden Francis, a freshman basketball player at the University of Mobile in Alabama, passed away unexpectedly. In a message to students and teachers, university president Charles Smith stated that Francis, of Fort Lauderdale, Florida, passed away after collapsing on campus Tuesday morning. "Kaiden never recovered and died earlier today, despite the prompt and valiant efforts of students and medical personnel. "As we deal with this tragedy, our hearts are heavy," Smith wrote in the letter, which was sent on Tuesday. Francis passed away following a trip to the gym, according to head basketball coach Darnell Archey. Archeysaidon "He will be truly missed," posted on Facebook. "Yesterday morning Kaiden Francis, freshman point guard from Fort Lauderdale unexpectedly passed away after ...