Category: Uncategorized
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The EPA removes federal protections for most of the country’s wetlands
The US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has removed federal protections from most of the country’s wetlands due to a US Supreme Court ruling. Adjusting policy: The EPA and the Department of the Army have adjusted the definition of protected “waters of the United States”, following the May decision in Sackett v. EPA, which reduced the […]
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Steve Scalise says he has been diagnosed with a ‘very treatable blood cancer’
House Majority Leader Steve Scalise has been diagnosed with a “very treatable blood cancer,” multiple myeloma, and has begun treatment. The big picture: Steve Scalise, a highly popular Republican politician from Louisiana, was elected in 2008 to represent the 1st Congressional District. * Scalise began his political career at Louisiana State University and served in […]
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Up First briefing: Florida evacuations; summer COVID wave; how to beat jet lag
Florida is preparing for Category 1 hurricane Idalia, the U.S. is seeing a summer wave of COVID cases, and a man in Uganda faces charges under the country’s anti-LGBTQ+ law. Hurricane Evacuation: Florida is preparing for Hurricane Idalia which is predicted to intensify before hitting land. * While the hurricane’s path is tracking north of […]
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Meta says Chinese, Russian influence operations are among the biggest it’s taken down
Meta, Facebook’s parent company, has disclosed that they have disrupted some of the largest covert online influence operations originating from China and Russia, both employing vast network of fake accounts across various online platforms. Chinese operations: Meta links activities to Chinese law enforcement. * The Chinese operation spread pro-China messages and criticized critics of Beijing’s […]
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‘You’re not welcome here!’ DeSantis booed at vigil for Jacksonville shooting victims
Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis was booed at a prayer vigil for victims of a racially motivated shooting, with some attendees attributing his policies to the incidence. Event Overview: DeSantis attended a prayer vigil for the victims of a racially motivated shooting in Jacksonville. * The governor and his wife were among those commemorating the victims, […]
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With hold on confirmations, Pentagon says fate of hundreds of officers in limbo
An indefinite “hold” by Sen. Tommy Tuberville on military officer confirmations has led to 301 admiral and general nominations being in limbo, expected to rise to 650 by year-end. Hold Implications: The “hold” has resulted in unprecedented circumstances of key military services operating without Senate-confirmed leaders. * The Navy, Army and Marine Corps are without […]
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U.S. fines American Airlines for dozens of long tarmac delays
The U.S. government has fined American Airlines $4.1 million for multiple long ground delays where passengers were kept on planes without a chance to exit. The fine details: The U.S. Department of Transportation said this is the largest fine against an airline for such offences since regulations covering long ground delays were introduced about ten […]
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Alabama requests a date to execute an inmate via nitrogen hypoxia for the first time
Alabama’s Attorney General has requested the state’s supreme court to allow the first-ever execution through nitrogen hypoxia for convicted murderer, Kenneth Eugene Smith. Driving the news: Steve Marshall, the Attorney General, requested a date for Smith’s execution, potentially to be carried out using nitrogen hypoxia. * Smith was initially scheduled for execution via lethal injection […]
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Judge sets March 4, 2024 as Trump trial date in election interference case
The federal judge overseeing the criminal case against former President Donald Trump for interference with the 2020 presidential election has scheduled the trial for March 4, 2024. Driving the news: This decision comes despite Trump’s arguments for a delay of two years. * The trial, which will be held at a courthouse close to the […]
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Latest on Ukraine: Wagner chief Prigozhin died as Russia’s war turned 1 1/2
Yevgeny Prigozhin, chief of Wagner Group, died in a plane crash, causing speculation on the future of his mercenary company’s operations in Russia’s invasion of Ukraine and elsewhere. Looking forward: There is uncertainty about the future of the Russian mercenaries after the death of Prigozhin. * Ukrainian troops have recently taken the settlement of Robotyne, […]