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Boeing whistleblower dead of apparent self-inflicted gunshot

(TNS) — Former Boeing employee John Barnett, a whistleblower who raised concerns about quality-control and safety issues in the company’s production line, was found dead in South Carolina from “what appears to be a self-inflicted gunshot wound,” police said. Prior to his death, Barnett — a quality manager who worked with the aircraft manufacturer for more than 30 years — had been in Charleston participating in legal interviews regarding a case against Boeing, BBC News reported. He recently participated in a formal deposition, during which he was questioned by the company’s lawyers, and then again by his own. Barnett had been expected to provide further evidence and again sit for questioning on Saturday, but he never showed up for the proceedings. His body was found later the same day in his truck, which was parked outside the hotel where he’d been staying.

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During his years at Boeing’s North Charleston plant, where he worked on the 787 Dreamliner starting in 2010, Barnett claimed overworked employees were installing sub-standard parts on planes to meet lofty production targets. He also uncovered serious problems with oxygen systems he said could result in as many as 1 in 4 masks failing to work in an emergency situation. Barnett also said he repeatedly discussed his concerns with Boeing leadership to no avail. He was transferred to another part of the facility and retired in 2017. In the same year, he filed a whistleblower complaint against Boeing, accusing them of retaliatory behavior.

Andrew Tate can be extradited to UK after Romania rape trial: Court

(TNS) — A Romanian court has approved a United Kingdom request to extradite influencer Andrew Tate — a U.K and U.S. citizen — and his brother over rape and sexual assault allegations. The brothers can be extradited after separate trial proceedings conclude in the former kickboxer’s rape and human trafficking case in Romania. The court ordered Tate and his brother Tristan Tate’s immediate release from police custody in Romania, the BBC reported Tuesday.

RFK Jr. considering quarterback Aaron Rodgers as his running mate

(TNS) — Robert F. Kennedy Jr.’s Hail Mary campaign for president might get a shot in the arm from an unlikely source: New York Jets quarterback Aaron Rodgers. The conspiracy-theory loving Kennedy, who is running for president as an independent, has added the big-armed, vaccine-skeptical football star to his “short list” of possible running mates, Kennedy’s campaign said in a Tuesday email. Kennedy, 70, said he is also considering fellow conspiracy theorist Jesse Ventura, ex-pro wrestler and former Minnesota governor, as a possible running mate choice, according to his campaign’s communications team.

Ghislaine Maxwell asks NY appeals court to toss conviction

(TNS) — Lawyers for Ghislaine Maxwell asked a New York federal appeals court Tuesday to toss her conviction for aiding Jeffrey Epstein’s sexual exploitation of teenage girls — contending she was protected by a 2007 sweetheart deal between the deceased financier and the feds. Arguing before the 2nd Circuit U.S. Court of Appeals in Manhattan, the former British socialite’s appellate lawyer, Diana Fabi Samson, said a section in Epstein’s nonprosecution deal with the Southern District of Florida covering potential co-conspirators should have prohibited the feds from charging Maxwell 13 years after it was penned.