Author: Gist It

  • A bad apple season has some U.S. fruit growers planning for life in a warmer world

    Unpredictable seasons due to climate change are leading US fruit growers to reconsider their crop choices, after a season of ruined apple harvests. Eye of the storm: The Southers, owners of an apple orchard in Concord, New Hampshire, saw the devastating effects of unseasonable freezing temperatures in mid-May. * With their apple trees in full […]

  • A major U.S. Muslim group cancels Virginia banquet over bomb and death threats

    The Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR) has cancelled its annual banquet at a Virginia hotel due to bomb and death threats, possibly connected to the group’s concern for Palestinians involved in the Israel-Hamas conflict. Threat details: The Marriott Crystal Gateway, where the banquet was to be held, reportedly received anonymous calls threatening to plant bombs […]

  • Trump isn’t above the law, Justice Department tells a judge

    The US Justice Department has emphasized that former President Donald Trump is not above the law, urging a judge to reject his efforts to dismiss the federal election interference case against him. Case against immunity: Trump’s lawyers have moved to dismiss the four felony charges against him on grounds of presidential “immunity.” * Trump’s legal […]

  • Children make up nearly half of Gaza’s population. Here’s what it means for the war

    Nearly half of Gaza’s population are children, presenting a complex and grim reality for the region amid its current conflict. Demographics in Gaza: The Gaza Strip, one of the most densely populated places in the world, is home to approximately 2.2 million people, 47.3% of whom are under 18. * The area is predominantly Muslim, […]

  • Aid could arrive in Gaza starting Friday, Biden says, as calls for a ceasefire grow

    Humanitarian aid could begin to arrive in the Gaza Strip as early as Friday, according to President Biden, amid increasing calls for a cease-fire. Background: This potential aid delivery comes nearly two weeks since the start of an Israeli bombardment campaign against militant group Hamas. * The first shipment since Israel halted resources like food, […]

  • Not just autoworkers: Grad students make up a growing share of UAW members

    The United Auto Workers (UAW) union now includes approximately 100,000 members who work in higher education, including graduate students and adjunct professors, as part of a shift away from its traditional auto worker base. The big picture: UAW’s membership has diversified as its autoworker numbers have dwindled. * The union was 1.5 million members strong […]

  • Netflix raises prices for its premium plan

    Netflix has announced increases to the prices of its premium and ad-free subscription plans and revealed stronger-than-expected growth during the past quarter. Price jump: Netflix is increasing its pricing for premium service in the U.S. by $2 to $23 per month, and its lowest-priced ad-free plan to $12 per month. * The pricing for Netflix’s […]

  • Up First briefing: Deadly hospital blast rocks Gaza; House plans second speaker vote

    A large explosion at a hospital in Gaza, apparently leading to hundreds of deaths, and the continuance of the House’s speaker vote, are key topics in today’s news. Gaza explosion crisis: An explosion at Al-Ahli Baptist Hospital in Gaza has resulted in hundreds of casualties. * The cause of the explosion remains uncertain, with Israel […]

  • What you need to know about Biden’s wartime trip to Israel

    President Biden is conducting a war-time visit to Israel, although part of his planned trip has been cancelled due to an explosion at a Gaza hospital that resulted in hundreds of deaths. Schedule change: Biden was set to meet with leaders in Jordan to discuss humanitarian aid to Gaza, but this part of his trip […]

  • 21 species have been declared extinct, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service says

    The United States Fish and Wildlife Service has officially declared 21 species extinct, including eight species of Hawaiian honeycreeper birds and several mussels. List of extinct species: The recently declared extinct species were earlier part of the national list of threatened and endangered species. * Among the species are eight Hawaiian honeycreeper birds, several freshwater […]