Author: Gist It

  • Here’s the latest on the missing Titanic sub and the race to rescue those inside

    A submersible vessel with five people on board exploring the Titanic wreckage is missing in the North Atlantic, and rescue efforts are ongoing. The situation: The vessel named Titan lost communication with its control center on Sunday morning during its scheduled dive, with oxygen lasting only about two more days. * The vessel is operated […]

  • Hunter Biden pleads guilty in tax case; also charged in gun case

    Hunter Biden pleads guilty to tax charges and faces gun charges as part of a Justice Department investigation. Charges and pleas: Hunter Biden pleaded guilty to two federal income tax-related charges, while also being charged with a firearm offense. * He entered a pretrial diversion agreement for the gun charge, which allows him to avoid […]

  • ‘Tiny sub, big ocean’: Why the Titanic submersible search is so challenging

    The search continues for OceanGate’s Titan submersible that went missing during a tourist trip to the Titanic shipwreck, with five people on board and limited oxygen supply. The big picture: The submersible lost contact with its support ship about 1 hour and 45 minutes after submerging into the Atlantic Ocean, 435 miles south of St. […]

  • Search is underway for a missing submersible that brings tourists to the Titanic

    A search is underway for a missing submersible that takes tourists to the Titanic site. Background: The submersible vessel brings tourists to view the submerged wreckage of the Titanic. * It is currently missing and authorities are searching for it. Expert perspective: NPR’s Michel Martin spoke with retired submarine captain David Marquet about the challenges […]

  • From Beijing to London, Blinken pushes for Ukraine peace deal and recovery

    U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken focuses on Ukraine’s post-war recovery as he meets U.K. officials ahead of the Ukraine Recovery Conference. From China to London: Blinken recently had “candid, substantive, and constructive” talks with Chinese leader Xi Jinping and welcomes China’s involvement in negotiating an end to the Ukraine war. * Blinken praised China’s […]

  • With visit to China, Blinken clears a diplomatic path, but it’s unclear where it goes

    Secretary of State Antony Blinken’s trip to Beijing aimed to reignite diplomacy and stabilize US-China relations, but the outcome remains uncertain. Driving the news: Blinken met with China’s top foreign policy officials and President Xi Jinping during his visit. * Both sides sought to manage expectations, casting it as an opportunity to exchange views and […]

  • A federal judge has blocked much of Indiana’s ban on gender-affirming care for minors

    A federal judge has halted much of Indiana’s ban on gender-affirming care for minors, which was set to take effect on July 1st. The decision: U.S. District Court Judge James Patrick Hanlon issued an order on Friday, stopping Indiana’s prohibition of puberty blockers and hormones for transgender minors. * The order allows the law’s ban […]

  • Germany hands over 2 Indigenous masks to Colombia as it reappraises its colonial past

    Germany returned two Indigenous Kogi masks to Colombia on Friday, part of European nations’ reevaluation of their colonial past. Returning artifacts: The wooden “sun masks,” dating back to the mid-15th century, were handed over during Colombian President Gustavo Petro’s visit to Berlin. * The decision to restitute them follows years of contact between Berlin’s museum […]

  • The NCAA looks to weed out marijuana from its banned drug list

    An NCAA panel recommends removing cannabis from its banned drug list and testing protocols for college athletes. The big picture: The NCAA Committee on Competitive Safeguards and Medical Aspects of Sports argues that cannabis does not enhance performance and testing should be limited to performance-enhancing drugs. * Each of the three NCAA divisional governance bodies […]

  • How Secretary Blinken is tackling the China relationship (and others in the region)

    US Secretary of State Antony Blinken recently concluded his China visit, where he met with the country’s leader, Xi Jinping, and held “candid, substantive, and constructive” talks. Who is Blinken?: Antony Blinken is a key figure in the Biden administration, focusing on rebuilding alliances across the globe to counter China and uphold international norms. * […]