FCC plans shutdown of Affordable Connectivity Program as GOP withholds funding (arstechnica.com)
The Federal Communications Commission is about to start winding down a program that gives $30 monthly broadband discounts to people with low incomes, and says it will have to complete the shutdown by May if Congress doesn’t provide more funding.
Trump attorney tells judges presidential immunity would even cover assassinating rivals, selling pardons (themessenger.com)
US presidents cannot be prosecuted for selling pardons or assassinating political rivals through SEAL Team Six, personal Trump lawyer John Sauer argued Tuesday...
Saudi Arabia looks to normalize relations with Israel. (www.bbc.com)
Philadelphia Mayor Eliminates Degree Criteria for Certain City Positions Shortly After Inauguration (hrmjunkies.com)
According to data from the U.S. Census Bureau, just roughly one-third of Philadelphians aged 25 and over hold a bachelor’s degree.
Judges skeptical of Trump’s immunity appeal at court hearing for 2020 election interference case (www.nbcnews.com)
The judges also questioned the attorneys about whether they should even render a decision on his claim of immunity and instead allow the case to move forward in the trial court....
Italy urged to cancel pro-Russian events accused of spreading propaganda (www.theguardian.com)
“We need to increase our attention regarding these phenomena and dynamics, all the more so as we approach the European elections, which represent for Putin a functional junction for the destabilisation of our democracies,” wrote Pina Picierno, a vice-president of the European parliament and member of the Democratic party.
A City’s Campaign Against Homelessness Brings Stories of Violence (www.nytimes.com)
archive sad to see this happening here. Roving gangs of youth harassing the homeless with support from the local government should worry everyone.
Arrest warrant issued for Montana man accused of killing thousands of birds, including eagles (apnews.com)
A federal judge issued an arrest warrant Monday for a Montana man who failed to show up for an initial court appearance on charges of killing thousands of birds, including bald and golden eagles. A second defendant pleaded not guilty....
The Biggest Election Year in History (www.newyorker.com)
US sees largest COVID wave since omicron (www.semafor.com)
Skipping School: America’s Hidden Education Crisis (www.propublica.org)
Absenteeism has nearly doubled since the pandemic. With state and federal governments largely abdicating any role in getting kids back into classrooms, some schools have turned to private companies for a reimagined version of the truant officer....
Secret Service investigating vehicle crash into gate of White House complex (www.theguardian.com)
Special counsel Jack Smith was targeted by attempted swatting on Christmas Day (www.nbcnews.com)
Police were dispatched toward Smith’s residence but were called off when they learned it was a false alarm and that everyone inside the home was safe....
Trump loses ‘immunity’ appeal in E Jean Carroll defamation case (www.independent.co.uk)
A trial is scheduled to begin next week. His attorneys have suggested appealing to the Supreme Court...
Central US walloped by blizzard conditions, closing highways, schools and government offices (www.independent.co.uk)
A sprawling storm that pelted much of the nation’s midsection under more than a half a foot of snow created whiteout conditions in several cities and closed schools and public offices as officials warned motorists to stay home...
Gaza cease-fire protests in New York block bridges, and over are 300 arrested (apnews.com)
Hundreds of protesters calling for an immediate cease-fire in the Israel-Hamas war blocked traffic in New York City at crucial bridges and a tunnel, disrupting the Monday morning commute and leading to more than 300 arrests....
Red Cross facing severe blood shortage (thehill.com)
2023 smashes record for world’s hottest year by huge margin (www.theguardian.com)
2023 “smashed” the record for the hottest year by a huge margin, providing “dramatic testimony” of how much warmer and more dangerous today’s climate is from the cooler one in which human civilisation developed....
A Glimpse Inside a Devastated Gaza (www.nytimes.com)
As we traveled through central Gaza on Monday, every village bore the marks of war. Some buildings had collapsed entirely, their floors stacked on top of the other like piles of books. Tower blocks, missing whole sections, stood precariously. The house in Bureij was missing an outer wall. A grove of trees next door had been...
South Korea passes bill to ban eating dog meat, ending controversial practice as consumer habits change (www.cnn.com)
South Korea’s parliament passed a bill Tuesday banning the breeding and slaughter of dogs for consumption, ending the traditional yet controversial practice of eating dog meat after years of nationwide debate....
Chinese-origin US Navy officer jailed for selling military secrets to China (www.independent.co.uk)
Wenheng Zhao pleads guilty to transmitting secret files to Chinese spy...
Minnesota doctor accused of fatally poisoning wife indicted on murder charges (www.nbcnews.com)
A medical examiner determined Betty Bowman died after being poisoned by a drug that a tipster told police her husband had researched....
UK Government Blocks Woman Of Color Joining Channel 4 Board Amid Diversity Row (deadline.com)
EXCLUSIVE: The British government has blocked a woman of color from being appointed to Channel 4’s board for a third time, raising further questions about ministers meddling in media appointm…
Michelle Obama says she’s terrified about potential outcome of 2024 election (edition.cnn.com)
“What’s going to happen in this next election? I’m terrified about what could possibly happen, because our leaders matter. Who we select, who speaks for us, who holds that bully pulpit, it affects us in ways sometimes I think people take for granted,” Obama told Jay Shetty on his podcast “On Purpose.”...