LONG BEACH, Calif. (KABC) — A 15-year-old boy suspected of driving a stolen car was killed in a fiery crash that injured three other teenagers and caused a closure of the northbound 710 Freeway in Long Beach Monday night, authorities said.
The crash was reported just before 10:30 p.m. and led to the closure of the northbound 710 for a few hours.
Footage from the scene showed the Kia engulfed in flames. Officers rushed toward the burning car and pulled the people inside to safety.
The 15-year-old driver of the Kia was taken to a hospital where he was pronounced dead, according to the California Highway Patrol.
Three passengers in the Kia – a 13-year-old girl, a 14-year-old boy and a 15-year-old girl – were hospitalized with moderate injuries.
The condition of the 22-year-old driver of the semi-truck was not disclosed, but he apparently was not seriously injured.
A CHP news release stated that the 15-year-old driver apparently tried to get off the freeway and cut in front of the semi-truck, causing the two vehicles to collide.
Bitcoin (BTC) ATMs have become both convenient and worrying, with scammers taking advantage of unsuspecting victims. Authorities in the US and other jurisdictions are now waging a war against crypto-ATM-based scams.
California takes a stance on new cryptocurrency laws
The state of California has introduced rules for cryptocurrency transactions. Senate Bill 401, signed by Governor Gavin Newsom, means you can only make $1,000 worth of cryptocurrency transactions at ATMs each day, and starting in 2025, the maximum they can charge you is $5, or 15% of the transaction. Whichever is higher.
Initially, some Bitcoin ATMs allowed up to $50,000 in transactions with fees ranging between 12% and 25% above the value of the digital asset. These changes are intended to protect people from scams and high fees, explained Sen. Monique Lemon, one of the co-authors.
Scammers taking advantage of the convenience of Bitcoin ATMs have been a growing concern, with the Federal Trade Commission reporting that more than 46,000 people have lost more than $1 billion to cryptocurrency scams since 2021. New transaction limits give victims more time to spot scams before loss of money. But Charles Bell of the Blockchain Advocacy Coalition worries that these rules could hurt the cryptocurrency industry and small businesses.
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FBI Alerts About Bitcoin ATM and QR Code Scams
The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) has raised the alarm about fraudulent schemes exploiting ATMs for cryptocurrencies and quick response (QR) codes for payments. These schemes take various forms, including online impersonation, romance scams, and lottery fraud, all using cryptocurrency ATMs and QR codes as tools.
QR codes, which smartphone cameras can scan, simplify cryptocurrency payments. However, criminals are now using it to trick victims into paying money. Victims are often asked to withdraw money from their accounts and use a QR code provided by scammers to complete transactions at physical cryptocurrency ATMs.
Once the victim makes the payment, the cryptocurrency is transferred to the scammer’s wallet, making recovery nearly impossible due to the decentralized nature of cryptocurrencies. The FBI offers several tips to protect against these schemes, focusing on caution, verification, and avoiding cryptocurrency ATM transactions that promise anonymity using only a phone number or email.
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Cryptocurrency regulation efforts in California
The passage of Senate Bill 401 in California is part of a broader effort to regulate the cryptocurrency industry while protecting consumers. Another law, scheduled to take effect in July 2025, will require digital financial asset companies to obtain licenses from the California Department of Financial Protection and Innovation. This represents a clear shift towards tightening government regulation and oversight in the world of digital finance.
Gavin Newsom’s decision to sign these bills into law demonstrates California’s commitment to strengthening the cryptocurrency industry and protecting its citizens. Balancing innovation and security remains a challenge, especially in a rapidly evolving digital landscape.
Bitcoin Depot’s historic debut on the NASDAQ
In July, Bitcoin Depot, a leading bitcoin ATM operator, went public on the Nasdaq. This milestone comes after Bitcoin Depot merged with GSR II Meteora, a blank check company.
The move to go public demonstrates the growing legitimacy and acceptance of cryptocurrencies in major financial markets.
Authorities vs. illegal crypto ATMs
The UK Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) is taking a strong stance against illegal cryptocurrency ATM operators. Using its power under money laundering regulations, the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) has carried out raids on cryptocurrency ATMs suspected of illegal activities across England.
The measures, which follow previous operations in east London and Leeds, are part of the Financial Conduct Authority’s (FCA) efforts to crack down on unregulated cryptocurrency operations. This highlights global pressure for stronger cryptocurrency regulation, mirroring steps taken in California. The balance between innovation and security remains a fundamental concern for regulatory bodies around the world.
This morning I had to have my dog Skelum put down after he suffered a stroke. He had been with me 15 years, helped me through many hard times, saw me get married and has helped me play with and protect my four children. Goodbye my faithful hound, my best friend. I’ll always love you. I’ll see you in the next place.
The American was infamously stripped of his 2006 Tour de France win after testing positive for performance-enhancing drugs. Disgrace, downfall and eventually redemption all ensued, and he went on to launch Floyd’s of Leadville in 2016, which sells CBD products such as gummies, coffee, drink mixes and tonics.
CBD is oil or powder derived from the cannabis plant that can be added as an ingredient in food and beverages. It doesn’t contain tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), the psychoactive ingredient found in marijuana that produces a ‘high’. Landis discovered it after life as a professional athlete left him with ‘numerous lingering painful injuries’. CBD, he explained, allowed him a route away from opioids and other addictive drugs that in the past doctors were quick to prescribe. He then created Colorado-based Floyd’s of Leadville to share with the world his experience of the advantages of CBD.
“For me it’s been beneficial for anxiety and to some extent pain as well,” he told FoodNavigator.
But the current lack of hard evidence to back up the many perceived health benefits is one bottleneck for the CBD industry. Studies continue to show it may prove to be an option for, among other things, managing anxiety, insomnia, inflammation, arthritis, and even HIV symptoms. But these studies are as yet inconclusive. With the exception of Epidiolex – the first and only prescription CBD medicine approved by the FDA in the US which is used to treat seizures – no…
