The first people in line on Tuesday, I was told, started camping out on the sidewalk two days ago. Luigi Mangione, the man accused of gunning down UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson in December 2024, was due in court at 9AM ET for a hearing in one of three concurrent criminal cases against him. And this time everyone was prepared for the mayhem: the signs, the fans, the livestreamers, the protests, the media circus. That’s why the line started even earlier than last time — the people who really wanted to get in to see him knew that no time was too early.
Technology
Can Luigi Mangione get too big to jail?
Mangione is both ubiquitous and fleeting. The last time the public saw him (aside from a bizarre, unauthorized appearance in a men’s shirt listing on Shein) was in February at this same courthouse in Manhattan, when hundreds of members of the general public and media convened for a routine pretrial hearing. He exists in memes, in passing references, and in content moderation decisions, and he lives rent-free in the mind of Donald Trump — yet most people are likely not thinking or talking about Mangione day to day. They are reminded of him when new photos drop or when there are incremental updates in the cases against him. But the wall-to-wall coverage of the case has waned, and it’s the people who are the most tapped in that are working to keep interest in the case alive. Mangione and the larger discussions around healthcare reform are one item in a list of approximately 8,000 pressing topics swirling in the US. How do you keep attention and energy alive in an information ecosystem defined by its fragmentation?
Court officials and police seem to have learned their lesson from February: don’t let a million people inside
The hearing on Tuesday was much more eventful than the one in February: Mangione’s team successfully got two terrorism-related charges tossed in the New York case, a development that supporters of his are celebrating. Given the magnitude of the news, the tempered atmosphere — and the smaller crowds — was noticeable.
Court officials and police seem to have learned their lesson from February: don’t let a million people inside. Instead of admitting members of the public to a hallway outside the courtroom where they could set up camp, the court kept most on the sidewalk.
There are fewer people here than in February, but in some ways the supporters and frenzy are even more fervent. Mason Alexander, who told The Verge he’d been one of the few to make it inside the courtroom for the first hearing, arrived at 11PM the night before and was 25th in line, meaning he wouldn’t get a spot the second time. Some in line have numbers written on the backs of their hands, which I later am told are not part of any official numbering system from the courthouse but were the work of an attendee walking around with a marker, trying to bring order to the line.
“The case just resonated with me,” Alexander says, explaining why he showed up. “Obviously what he allegedly did isn’t something to be cheered about, but I think it was beneficial in the way that it put a spotlight on [the healthcare system issue] that I think is probably the most important in the country, and how much it affects everyday people. It got people talking.”
People Over Profit NYC, a grassroots healthcare reform group with a focus on Mangione’s case, again organized a rally outside. A giant homemade spinning wheel has slots reading “APPROVED” and “DENIED” — spin the wheel to learn the fate of your insurance claim. There are Luigi hats, keychains, DIY T-shirts, flyers about local healthcare legislation. When I arrive shortly after 8AM, reporters and news crews outnumber rally attendees — there are fewer people here, too, than six months ago.
A POPNYC rally attendee who asked to remain anonymous, citing the current political climate, says “protest fatigue” could be a reason attendance dipped (the early morning timeslot also may have contributed).
“I think people are just tired, and they just want to either ignore what’s going on or just give up,” the attendee says. “That’s why we’re out here, to let them know we’re still here. Even if you’re tired, we’ll still go on. And maybe they’ll join us next time.”
There’s also the unavoidable reality that the hearing is happening a week after right-wing provocateur Charlie Kirk was killed at a public event in Utah. Though the two cases are not obviously connected, there’s been a swift and brutal crackdown from the American right wing, directed at anyone who is deemed to be “celebrating” Kirk’s murder. Private and in some cases innocuous social media posts are being used to report people to employers or dox them. It’s not surprising that Mangione supporters may be reluctant to be photographed at a rally for him.
It’s hard enough to keep major events and causes in the news, but Mangione’s case has unique, complicating factors. The central character — who many see as sympathetic — is accused of stalking and shooting Thompson point-blank (Mangione has pleaded not guilty). UnitedHealth Group has waged an all-out attack on critics, targeting filmmakers, social media users, and news outlets. Tech companies are working to moderate Mangione-related content, though some supporters complain that their content and accounts are being taken down without explanation. There is also the general specter of violence that clouds current US political discourse. It’s never a good time to be an alleged assassin, but especially not now.
Part of what makes the Brian Thompson murder case so strange is the way most people consume and follow it: through the hundreds of photos and videos of Mangione looking “hot.” Mangione’s overlapping and high-stakes legal battle is relayed to the public via new photos of him; it obfuscates both the seriousness of the crime and charges, as well as the punishment he faces if convicted. There is a clear tonal disconnect in coverage of the case: the Daily Mail is both running stories about the “sick” fans that support him and posting 29-photo slideshows to TikTok that are a collection of Mangione’s face from every possible angle.
On Tuesday, Mangione wore a khaki prison outfit instead of street clothes. He was once again shackled at the ankles, wrists, and waist — something his attorneys have complained about. As we waited for him to enter, another reporter remarked that it felt a bit like a wedding: the press and two dozen or so members of the public kept glancing back at the slightest of noises, like we were waiting for a bride to walk down the aisle. A supporter who managed to get into the courtroom, who asked to be named as SAS, later told me she could hear his shackles before she saw him. Some online commenters described him as looking “pale,” “skinny,” and like he had been “crying a lot.” (I’m not really seeing this, personally.) After both hearings, there’s been a lot of reading into Mangione’s demeanor — but the truth is that the court dates have been exceedingly normal and professional. There is no deeper personality or psychology to be gleaned from being inside a room with him for 20 minutes.
The most significant development from Tuesday’s hearing brought good news for Mangione: Judge Gregory Carro, who is overseeing the New York state case against Mangione, dropped two major terrorism-related charges in what is seen as a major win for the defense. The state argued that Thompson’s murder was meant to “intimidate or coerce a civilian population,” but Carro found the claims to be “legally insufficient.” Carro says in essence that under New York law, the alleged “ideological” motive doesn’t fit the definition of terrorism.
As Carro announced that he was dropping the terrorism charges, a few supporters in the courtroom audibly reacted
“The court agrees with the defendant that the [state] appear[s] to conflate an ideological belief with the intent to intimidate or coerce a civilian population,” Carro writes. “While the defendant was clearly expressing an animus toward UHC, and the health care industry generally, it does not follow that his goal was to ‘intimidate and coerce a civilian population,’ and indeed, there was no evidence presented of such a goal.” Mangione still faces charges of second-degree murder in the New York state case.
As Carro announced that he was dropping the terrorism charges, a few supporters in the courtroom audibly reacted — a faint exclamation, maybe even a gentle clap, that drew a scolding from a guard.
On other motions, Mangione’s defense was less successful. Mangione is facing three concurrent cases: the one in New York, a separate state case in Pennsylvania, and a federal case. Mangione’s defense team has argued that the state and federal cases happening at the same time amounts to double jeopardy: the US Constitution bars defendants from being prosecuted for the same crime twice. Carro rejected the double jeopardy argument. Mangione’s lawyers have also argued that the federal case against him — which carries the possibility of the death penalty — should proceed before the state case. On Tuesday, Carro denied Mangione’s request to put the state case on hold. The next hearing in the state case is scheduled for December 1st. Mangione is due in court for the federal case a few days later.
Luigi Mangione’s fate and his public persona are inextricably linked. Widespread and sustained attention on his case depends on how often he can get in front of people through their digital feeds. The windows of opportunity to grab attention and deeper public engagement are limited because he is making public court appearances only once every several months. The public spectacle of the case is ever-present: Mangione’s attorneys have written at length objecting to him being shackled during court appearances that are then photographed and shared, saying they are “deeply prejudicial” and damaging to his right to a fair trial.
One avenue Mangione supporters have been pursuing is around jury nullification, when a jury acquits even if it believes a defendant committed a crime (in February, a truck with an LED billboard on the side showing jury nullification information circled the courthouse during the hearing). But even that relies on a massive public outreach campaign in an era of short attention spans and a fractured media ecosystem.
As I wrote in February, a cycle is beginning to take shape: One day Mangione is all we see on social media. The next he is gone. Rinse and repeat. While I was in court with my phone tucked away, friends texted me about new Luigi photos, just as they did six months ago. Is becoming a meme — no matter how beloved or reviled — enough to have your life spared? The stakes couldn’t be higher, and the culture couldn’t be more fickle.
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The Acer Nitro Blaze Link might run on Linux, but it’s no Steam Deck. Acer says it’s a “streaming-first handheld and companion device,” like a PlayStation Portal for your PC. Announced ahead of Computex on Friday, it’s launching in Q4 2026 with a 7-inch (1920 x 1200) display, Wi-Fi 6, just 1GB of LPDDR4 RAM, and 8GB of eMMC storage. That’s technically not even enough RAM to run Stardew Valley, but the Blaze Link isn’t meant for playing games locally.
Logitech launched a similar handheld a few years ago, the Logitech G Cloud, that cost $350, included 4GB of RAM and 64GB of storage, and ran on Android. It was a tough sell at that price considering that its performance was dependent on a good internet connection.
Acer hasn’t yet announced a price for the Nitro Blaze Link. But its specs suggest it could cost significantly less than proper handheld gaming PCs — which have been skyrocketing in price — potentially offering a more affordable and streaming-first alternative.
Correction, May 29th: The Nitro Blaze Link was announced ahead of Computex 2026, not at it.
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It shows up in your junk folder with a subject line that practically yells at you: “ATTENTION 1!!!” That alone should raise suspicion. Still, the message quickly escalates. It claims to come from the IMF (International Monetary Fund) and says you are approved for a $4.5 million grant.
That is where things start to fall apart. This type of scam is designed to trigger both excitement and urgency. It also pushes you to hand over sensitive information before you stop to think.
Let’s break down exactly what this email says and why each part signals trouble.
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NEW EMAIL SCAM USES HIDDEN CHARACTERS TO SLIP PAST FILTERS
A fake IMF grant email promises millions of dollars while asking recipients to share personal details and identity documents. (Rawf8/Getty Images)
The sender behind this IMF scam email
The email claims to be from the IMF. Yet the reply address is a Gmail account. That mismatch matters.
Legitimate financial institutions do not use free email services for official communication. They also do not ask you to reply to a personal inbox for something this serious.
Why the subject line is a warning sign
“ATTENTION 1!!!” is not how a global financial organization communicates. It is how scammers try to grab you fast.
Urgency lowers your guard. When you feel pressure, you are more likely to respond without verifying anything.
The greeting reveals a mass email
The message opens with “Attention: Sir/Madam.” If your name were truly selected for a multimillion-dollar payment, the sender would use it.
Generic greetings often mean the email was blasted out to thousands of people.
How the story tries to hook you
The email mentions debts tied to contracts, inheritance, lottery and loans. That wide net is intentional.
It increases the odds that something in the message feels familiar. Once that happens, the scam starts to feel personal.
The $4.5 million promise is the bait
The promise of $4.5 million is not random. Large numbers create excitement. They also make you more willing to overlook obvious problems.
Real financial grants do not appear out of nowhere like this.
YOUR EMAIL DIDN’T EXPIRE; IT’S JUST ANOTHER SNEAKY SCAM
Scam emails may use real organization names, official titles and urgent language to pressure people into responding quickly. (Pekic/Getty Images)
Why scammers use real names
The email mentions IMF Managing Director Kristalina Georgieva. That sounds official, which is the point.
Scammers often include real names or titles to make fake messages feel credible. It is a shortcut to trust.
The writing and grammar feel off
Phrases like “Kindly reply me directly” and awkward sentence structure stand out. One odd sentence might not mean much. However, repeated issues like this point to a lack of professional communication.
Major institutions have strict standards for how they write.
The most dangerous request in this email
This email requests:
- Full name
- Address and location
- Phone number
- Age and occupation
- A copy of your passport or driver’s license
That is everything needed for identity theft. Once someone has those details, they can open accounts, target you with more scams or impersonate you.
The payment method adds false legitimacy
The email promises a bank-to-bank wire transfer. That detail adds a layer of realism. It also sets up the next step. Many scams later ask for “fees” to release the funds.
You send money, and the payment never arrives.
Even the spam excuse is part of the scam
At the end, the email tries to explain away the biggest red flag: “If you have received this message in your SPAM/BULK folder, it is simply because your ISP has introduced restrictions. We urge that you treat it as a matter of urgency.” That is not a reassurance. It is a warning sign.
Scammers know their messages look suspicious, so they try to explain it away before you question it.
THE ONE THING SCAMMERS CHECK BEFORE TARGETING YOU ONLINE
Users should delete suspicious grant emails, avoid links and verify claims directly through official organization websites. (Photographer: Wei Leng Tay/Bloomberg via Getty Images)
How to stay safe from scam emails
Scams like this follow a pattern, and once you know what to look for, you can shut them down quickly before any damage is done.
1) Ignore and delete the message
Do not reply or engage in any way. Even a quick response tells scammers your email is active, which can lead to more targeted attacks. The safest move is to delete it and move on.
2) Do not click links or download attachments
Scam emails often hide malicious links or infected files. One click can take you to a fake login page or install malware on your device. If you were not expecting the message, do not interact with anything inside it.
3) Use strong antivirus software
Strong antivirus software adds another layer of protection. It can flag suspicious emails, block dangerous websites and stop malicious downloads before they cause harm. Get my picks for the best 2026 antivirus protection winners for your Windows, Mac, Android & iOS devices at Cyberguy.com
4) Never send personal documents
No legitimate organization will ask for your passport, driver’s license or other sensitive documents through an unsolicited email. Sending that information can open the door to identity theft and financial fraud.
5) Look closely at the sender
Do not rely on the display name alone. Check the full email address carefully for misspellings, random numbers or free domains like Gmail. Small details often reveal a fake.
6) Go directly to official sources
If the message seems important, verify it on your own. Type the organization’s website into your browser or use a trusted contact method. Do not use the links or contact details provided in the email.
7) Remove your personal data from the internet
Scammers often rely on publicly available information to make their messages feel convincing. Data removal services can reduce what is out there, making it harder for criminals to target you in the first place. Check out my top picks for data removal services and get a free scan to find out if your personal information is already out on the web by visiting Cyberguy.com
8) Turn on two-factor authentication
Add an extra layer of security to your accounts. With 2FA enabled, a stolen password alone is not enough for someone to get in. This simple step can stop many attacks before they start.
9) Monitor your financial accounts and credit
Check your bank statements and credit reports regularly. Look for unfamiliar charges, new accounts or changes you did not make. Catching fraud early can limit the damage.
10) Consider placing a credit freeze
If you think your personal information was exposed, a credit freeze can help protect you. It prevents new credit accounts from being opened in your name without your approval.
11) Add identity theft protection
Because this scam asks for your name, address, phone number, age, occupation and a copy of your passport or driver’s license, identity theft protection can help you spot trouble faster. A good service can monitor your credit files, alert you to new activity and help you recover if someone uses your information to open accounts or commit fraud in your name. See my tips and best picks on Best Identity Theft Protection at Cyberguy.com
12) Report the scam
Mark the email as phishing in your inbox. This helps your email provider block similar messages and protects other people from falling into the same trap.
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Your phone holds your email, passwords, photos, banking apps and personal data. In this free, live online class, Kurt the CyberGuy will walk you step by step through simple phone security fixes you can do in real time. You’ll learn how to improve your privacy settings, spot the latest phone scams, use trusted security tools and walk away with a simple checklist to stay protected. Register here: CyberGuyLive.com
Kurt’s key takeaways
This email tries hard to look official. It uses a real organization, a real name and a convincing story. Still, the cracks show up quickly once you slow down. A Gmail reply address, a massive payout, a vague greeting and a request for identity documents all point in the same direction. Scams like this rely on one thing: getting you to act before you think. Take a second look, and the whole thing falls apart.
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If a message promises millions and asks for your personal information, would you pause long enough to question it, or would the urgency pull you in? Let us know by writing to us at Cyberguy.com
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Technology
Blue Origin explosion is a major setback for NASA’s Moon plans and Amazon’s Starlink competitor
While Blue Origin investigates the root cause behind last night’s spectacular explosion of its New Glenn rocket, it’s already clear that this will be a major setback for NASA’s Moon base plans and Amazon’s fledgling Leo space internet constellation.
The incident occurred at about 9pm at Blue Origin’s Florida launch site during a hot-fire test, where seven engines in the booster stage are lit while keeping the 322-foot-tall rocket fixed to the launchpad. The explosion and ensuing fireball severely damaged the only launchpad Blue Origin has for its New Glenn rocket.
“It’s too early to know the root cause but we’re already working to find it,” wrote Blue Origin boss Jeff Bezos on X. “Very rough day, but we’ll rebuild whatever needs rebuilding and get back to flying. It’s worth it.”
According to sources speaking to Ars Technica, the transporter-erector and one of the lightning towers at LC-36A may not be salvageable. “New Glenn almost certainly will not launch again in 2026, and frankly a launch during the first half of 2027 would be heroic given the launch site concerns,” writes Eric Berger, senior space editor at Ars Technica.
Such a delay would affect NASA’s Moon base plans. NASA announced on Tuesday that New Glenn would deliver a robotic lunar lander as soon as fall 2026. In 2027, Blue Origin is also scheduled to participate in the upcoming Artemis III mission, which will see astronauts docking their Orion capsule with lunar landers developed by SpaceX and Blue Origin.
“Spaceflight is unforgiving, and developing new heavy-lift launch capability is extraordinarily difficult,” said NASA administrator Jared Isaacman on X. “We will work with our partners to support a thorough investigation of this anomaly, assess near-term mission impacts, and get back to launching rockets.”
The New Glenn rocket that exploded Thursday night was being prepped to carry 48 Amazon Leo satellites — the largest batch ever slated for a single launch — into low-Earth orbit on an upcoming mission. The satellites were not onboard.
To date Amazon has launched just over 300 of the 1,618 Leo satellites the FCC requires by July 30, 2026. Amazon has applied for an extension to keep its license.
Amazon had been counting on New Glenn’s massive payload capacity and reusable boosters to accelerate a launch schedule that is already behind. Without its primary workhorse, Amazon will be forced to rely more heavily on secondary providers like United Launch Alliance (ULA) and Arianespace — and its chief rival, SpaceX.
“Sorry to see this,” wrote fellow billionaire spaceman Elon Musk on X. “I hope you recover quickly.”
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