On ‘Severance,’ the Food Is Its Own Chilling Character - The New York Times (Thanks to Sabrina for this one)
On the Apple TV+ show, dehumanized office workers under total control of their employer can have a little melon — as a treat.
Thursday, March 20, 2025
2024 was the hottest year on record, breaching a critical climate goal and capping 10 years of unprecedented heat
2024 was the hottest year on record, breaching a critical climate goal and capping 10 years of unprecedented heat | CNN (Thanks to Finn Z for this one)
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A firefighting plane makes a drop on the Palisades fire in Pacific Palisades on January 7, 2024. |
Sudan army close to reclaim Presidential Palace from militia as two-year war rages
Sudan army close to reclaim Presidential Palace from militia as two-year war rages | CNN (Thanks to Luca for this one)
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| Smoke billows above residential buildings in Khartoum on April 16, 2023. |
Canadian Who Was in an ‘American Pie’ Video Says ICE Held Her for 12 Days
Canadian Who Was in an ‘American Pie’ Video Says ICE Held Her for 12 Days - The New York Times (Thanks to Aidan for this one)
Jasmine Mooney, 35, said she was put “in chains” after immigration enforcement officers flagged her visa application paperwork. The former actress was finally allowed to return to Vancouver.
Ukraine Attacks Air Base Deep Inside Russia
Ukraine Attacks Air Base Deep Inside Russia - The New York Times (Thanks to Taylor for this one)
The two sides traded strikes overnight as the Trump administration worked to hammer out the details of a partial cease-fire.
Hamas fires rockets at Israel for first time since truce collapses as toll mounts in Gaza
Hamas fires rockets at Israel for first time since truce collapses as toll mounts in Gaza | CNN (Thanks to Trevor for this one)
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An Israeli soldiers operates a tank near the southern border with Gaza on Wednesday. |
In Rush to Release Kennedy Files, Personal Information Went Public, Too
Oops: In Rush to Release Kennedy Files, Personal Information Went Public, Too - The New York Times (Thanks to Derrick for this one)
Social Security numbers and other personal details were included in the 64,000 pages of documents that the Trump administration declassified this week.
Related:
Shielded Kennedy Files Hid Spies, Not Conspiracies - The New York Times
Jack Schlossberg Slams JFK Files Release and the Media’s Coverage - The New York Times
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| The Trump administration declassified 64,000 document files released this week on the 1963 assassination of President John F. KennedyJim Altgens/Associated Press |
Queens Businessman Sentenced to Prison for Acting as Agent of China
Queens Businessman Sentenced to Prison for Acting as Agent of China - The New York Times
An Quanzhong, who will spend 13 months behind bars, harassed a resident whom China’s government wanted back home. His conviction was one of several that prosecutors have won against operatives in New York.
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| An Quanzhong will forfeit $5 million and pay more than $1 million in restitution to the person he targeted and to two other victims. Dave Sanders for The New York Times |
Here’s What the Rise of Clean Energy Looks Like From Space
Here’s What the Rise of Clean Energy Looks Like From Space - The New York Times
Related:
Judge Temporarily Stops E.P.A. From Clawing Back $14 Billion in Climate Grants - The New York Times
E.P.A. Offers No New Evidence in Battle Over $20 Billion in Climate Grants - The New York Times
Trump Administration Aims to Eliminate E.P.A.’s Scientific Research Arm - The New York Times
Greenpeace Is Ordered to Pay Energy Transfer, a Pipeline Company, $660 Million - The New York Times
Trump Says Houthis in Yemen Will Be ‘Annihilated,’ as U.S. Keeps Up Strikes
Trump Says Houthis in Yemen Will Be ‘Annihilated,’ as U.S. Keeps Up Strikes - The New York Times
The president warned Iran to stop arming the militant group, which has been attacking ships in the Red Sea.
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| Smoke plumes rose Wednesday above the Houthi-controlled Yemeni capital, Sana, after it was bombarded.Agence France-Presse — Getty Images |
Trump actions on Courts, FTC, and DOE
How Trump Is Trying to Consolidate Power Over Courts, Congress and More - The New York Times
President Trump’s expansive interpretation of presidential power has become the defining characteristic of his second term.
Trump Fires Democrats on Federal Trade Commission - The New York Times
The decision to fire the two members of the traditionally independent regulatory body is likely to face a legal challenge.
Trump to Sign Order Aimed at Dismantling Education Department - The New York Times
The order, which President Trump may sign on Thursday, will lay the groundwork for eventually shuttering the agency, reassigning some of its primary duties.
Related: Meet Steve Davis, Elon Musk’s Top Lieutenant Who Oversees DOGE - The New York Times
The University of California Will Stop Requiring Diversity Statements in Hiring - The New York Times
White House Expected to Pause $175 Million for Penn Over Transgender Policy - The New York Times
Wednesday, March 19, 2025
Defiance and Threats in Deportation Case Renew Fear of Constitutional Crisis
Defiance and Threats in Deportation Case Renew Fear of Constitutional Crisis - The New York Times (Thanks to Lexi for this one)
Legal scholars say that the nation has reached a tipping point and that the right question is not whether there is a crisis, but rather how much damage it will cause.
Related: Elon Musk’s Role in Dismantling USAID Likely Violated Constitution, Judge Finds - The New York Times
It appears to be the first time a federal judge has acted to constrain Elon Musk, a top adviser to President Trump. The judge also ordered agency functions be partially restored, though that relief could be temporary.
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| Chief Justice John G. Roberts Jr. issued an unusual statement on Tuesday, after Mr. Trump called for the impeachment of Judge James E. Boasberg, who issued the order over the weekend.Haiyun Jiang for The New York Times |
Israelis Take to Streets Day After Strikes on Gaza
Israelis Take to Streets Day After Strikes on Gaza - The New York Times
Israeli protests are converging over national security and domestic politics amid concerns about the government’s renewed push to reduce the power of state watchdogs.
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| Israelis marched into Jerusalem during a demonstration against Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Wednesday.Menahem Kahana/Agence France-Presse — Getty Images |
Trump Officials Say Deportees Were Gang Members. So Far, Few Details; DHS Detains Georgetown Academic
Trump Officials Say Deportees Were Gang Members. So Far, Few Details. - The New York Times
Families and immigration lawyers argue not all of the deportees sent to a prison in El Salvador over the weekend had ties to gangs.
Related:
D.H.S. Detains a Georgetown University Academic - The New York Times
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| “Our client is proof that they didn’t do the due diligence to understand who they were sending to El Salvador at all,” Lindsay Toczylowski, a lawyer, said.Alex Welsh for The New York Times |
Putin agrees to 30-day halt on energy facility strikes but no full Ukraine ceasefire
Putin agrees to 30-day halt on energy facility strikes but no full Ukraine ceasefire | Reuters (Thanks to Finn R for this one)
In Call With Trump, Putin Concedes Little on Ukraine - The New York Times
Although much of what Vladimir V. Putin agreed to during his call with President Trump was spun as a concession, the Russian leader stuck to the positions he has long held.
Tuesday, March 18, 2025
The Women Most Affected by Abortion Bans
The Women Most Affected by Abortion Bans - The New York Times (Thanks to Valerie for this one)
After the Dobbs decision, births rose in states with bans, but more for some women than others.
Israel Carries Out Deadly Strikes in Gaza
Israel Carries Out Deadly Strikes in Gaza: Live Updates - The New York Times
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office said Israel would use “increasing military strength” against Hamas after talks with the group reached an impasse. The aerial assault, the first major strikes in Gaza since a truce began in January, killed hundreds, Gazan health officials said.
Answers to your questions on Immigration and the economy
Immigrants have a significant impact on the U.S. economy in various ways. Here are some key statistics:
- Economic Contribution: Immigrants contributed approximately $1.6 trillion to the U.S. economy in 20221. They also paid over $579 billion in local, state, and federal taxes.
- Job Creation: Immigrants are highly entrepreneurial, launching new companies at twice the rate of native-born Americans2. This helps create jobs and boosts employment opportunities for native-born workers.
- GDP Impact: In 2016, immigrants added $2 trillion to the U.S. GDP.
- Tax Contributions: In 2018, immigrants contributed $458.7 billion to state, local, and federal taxes.
- Spending Power: The spending power of immigrants was estimated at $1.5 trillion in 2022.
- Federal Budget Deficit: Increased immigration could reduce the U.S. federal budget deficit by approximately $897 billion over the next decade.
Sources:
HHRG-118-JU01-20240111-SD013.pdf (Congress.gov)
HHRG-118-JU01-20240111-SD012.pdf (Congress.gov)
Monday, March 17, 2025
Philippines’ Ex-President Duterte Arrested Under I.C.C. Warrant
Philippines’ Ex-President Duterte Arrested Under I.C.C. Warrant - The New York Times (Thanks to Alana for these)
Rodrigo Duterte, the former Philippine president, was arrested on Tuesday in Manila and was flown to The Hague to face International Criminal Court charges of crimes against humanity.
The People Whose Children Were Killed in Duterte’s Drug War - The New York Times
For many Filipinos, Rodrigo Duterte’s transfer to the International Criminal Court was a milestone in their quest for justice. But some were conflicted.
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| Protesters demanding justice for drug war victims, after the arrest of former President Rodrigo Duterte of the Philippines, in Quezon City, on Tuesday.Earvin Perias/Agence France-Presse — Getty Images |
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| A victim of unidentified gunmen on motorcycles in Manila, in 2016. Rights group say about 30,000 people were killed in Mr. Duterte’s drug war. Daniel Berehulak for The New York Times |
Trump deports Venezuelans to El Salvador in spite of court order; Brown University Professor and Transplant Doctor Deported to Lebanon against judge's order
Trump blocked from using Alien Enemies Act for deportations (Thanks to Finn for these)
Trump administration deports Venezuelans despite court order, says judge has no authority | Reuters
White House Denies Violating Judge’s Order in Deporting Venezuelans - The New York Times
Karoline Leavitt, the White House press secretary, also asserted that the federal courts “have no jurisdiction” over President Trump’s conduct of foreign affairs or his power to expel foreign enemies.
Dr. Rasha Alawieh, a kidney transplant specialist and Brown University professor who had a valid visa, was expelled in apparent defiance of a court order.
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| A photo provided by El Salvador’s Presidency Press Office shows police officers escorting Venezuelan men into prison as part of a transfer deal between El Salvador and the Trump administration. The U.S. is paying a low fee to El Salvador to put the men in prison for a year.El Salvador's Presidency Press Office, via Reuters |
Friday, March 14, 2025
China Backs Iran in Nuclear Talks, Slams ‘Threat of Force’ From the West; Putin sends 'Signals'
China Backs Iran in Nuclear Talks, Slams ‘Threat of Force’ From the West
Beijing sought to position itself as a key player in negotiations with Iran over its nuclear program, as President Trump called for talks with Tehran.
Putin Met With U.S. Envoy and Sent ‘Signals’ for Trump, Kremlin Says
The talks in Moscow with Steve Witkoff indicated that Russia was keen to keep negotiating with the United States over Ukraine.
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| China hosted talks in Beijing on Friday with the deputy foreign ministers of Russia and Iran to discuss Iran’s nuclear program. China said sanctions on Iran should be lifted. |
Under G.O.P., Congress Cedes Power to Trump, Eroding Its Influence; Johns Hopkins Cut 2000+ due to Federal Cuts
Under G.O.P., Congress Cedes Power to Trump, Eroding Its Influence - The New York Times
Federal Cuts Prompt Johns Hopkins to Cut More Than 2,000 Workers - The New York Times
Trump, Government Shutdown and Senate News: Live Updates - The New York Times
Second federal judge orders temporary reinstatement of thousands of probationary employees fired by the Trump administration
Related: Judges threatened with impeachment, bombs for ruling against Trump agenda : NPR
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The sister of Supreme Court Justice Amy Coney Barrett received a bomb threat earlier this month, and lower court judges who hit pause on some of President Trump's efforts to dismantle federal agencies and programs have been singled out on social media. Republican lawmakers close to the president even have proposed impeachment proceedings against a few of those judges, who serve for life. |
Thursday, March 13, 2025
Mahmoud Khalil Has Not Been Allowed to Speak Privately With Lawyers
Mahmoud Khalil, Columbia Activist, Has Not Been Allowed to Speak Privately With Lawyers (Thanks to Arya for this one)
Mahmoud Khalil, a legal permanent resident who the Trump administration has claimed is a national security threat, is in immigration detention in Louisiana.
Wednesday, March 12, 2025
TikTok Attempts to Rein In Diet and Weight Loss Content
TikTok Attempts to Rein In Diet and Weight Loss Content - The New York Times (Thanks to Maia for this one)
The company said it will work to remove content about drugs like Ozempic, extended fasting and more from the “For You” feed.
Man Arrested on Suspicion of Manslaughter After Ship Hits Tanker in North Sea
Man Arrested on Suspicion of Manslaughter After Ship Hits Tanker in North Sea (Thanks to Valerie for this one)
The 59-year-old man was arrested after a container ship struck an oil tanker in the North Sea on Monday. A crew member was presumed dead after an extensive search was called off.
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