All USA
First LookEl Paso gunman who took 23 lives sentenced to 90 life sentencesThe Texas gunman who killed 23 people in a racist attack in 2019 at a Walmart in El Paso, Texas, has been sentenced to 90 consecutive life sentences for over 50 hate crime charges. A separate trial could still result in a death penalty sentence.
First LookEnd of an era? US destroys more than 30,000 tons of chemical weapons.The United States has been eliminating its chemical weapons cache since 2016 and is set to finish the project by the September 2023 deadline set by the international Chemical Weapons Convention. Officials hope other reluctant nations will follow.
First LookNew laws restrict helping voters. Why Asian Americans feel targeted.New voting laws in Republican-led states impose criminal penalties or fines for helping people to vote. Asian American and Asian immigrant communities feel that the laws – which restrict, for one, translation services – especially target them.
First LookTech ties, not tech wars: Yellen urges economic cooperation in ChinaU.S. Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen, in a meeting with Chinese Premier Li Qiang, urged China not to let tech restrictions disputes hinder economic cooperation. Ms. Yellen also communicated that the U.S. isn’t seeking to decouple its economy from China’s.
FocusAs Americans bet billions on sports, society wrestles with rapid growthWith the growth of sports betting, what responsibility do governments – and society – have in addressing regulation and addiction?
Air travel hits snags. Which solutions will take off?Passengers face disruptions as air travel surges, raising questions about how staffing and technology can respond.
First LookAt Guantanamo Bay, UN investigator speaks to detainees for first timeAn independent United Nations investigator has visited the detainees at Guantanamo Bay, the first to be granted access by a United States president. The detainees spoke of physical and psychological abuse, as well as their hopes to leave.
First LookMethodist exodus: 6,000 members leave over LGBTQ issuesOne fifth of the United Methodist congregations in the United States have left the denomination over the Church’s growing openness toward LGBTQ members. Conservative congregations have launched a new denomination called the Global Methodist Church.
First Look10 million users join Threads. Could it trigger the end for Twitter?Meta launched Threads, a text-based app mirroring Twitter, and drew 10 million users in its first seven hours. Although Threads is now live in over 100 countries, data privacy concerns will prevent a launch across the European Union.
First LookJudge rules White House overstepped with social media COVID messagingA judge on Tuesday prohibited several federal agencies and officials of the Biden administration from working with social media companies in response to a lawsuit alleging the government overstepped in efforts to quell hesitations about COVID-19 vaccines.
First LookUS citizenship test is changing. What are the concerns?The United States citizenship test will soon change to include an English-speaking section and a multiple-choice civics section. Some immigrants and advocates worry the changes will disadvantage test-takers with lower levels of English proficiency.
Monitor BreakfastBreakfast with Biden’s top economic adviserLael Brainard, director of the National Economic Council, defended “Bidenomics” at a Monitor Breakfast – one of her first gatherings with reporters since joining the White House.
Proposed power plant emission cuts: Can US keep the lights on?A debate over how fast to transition to clean energy is gaining urgency, as a proposed EPA emissions rule stirs concerns about electric grid reliability.
First LookWhat to know about Fourth of July holiday origins and traditionsThe Fourth of July is, for many Americans, an opportunity for parades, cookouts, and fireworks – but have you ever wondered about the holiday’s origins and traditions? Here’s what to know about the United States’ Independence Day.
In Pictures: A day for a bigger ‘us’ – and a bigger USCan a nation that reflects the world in all its diversity cohere? Can it thrive and remain free and grow?
Maine town debates high-flying proposal for world’s largest flagpoleWhen Morrill Worcester unfurled his plan to unite all Americans in Columbia Falls, Maine, the town was instantly divided. Some see his vision for the world’s largest flag pole as an atrocity and tourist trap. Others hail him as the ultimate patriot.
What Supreme Court rejection of student loan relief meansSupreme Court rejection of student loan relief could narrow presidential power, and provide a hot issue for 2024.
- What Supreme Court rejection of student loan relief means
Supreme Court rejection of student loan relief could narrow presidential power, and provide a hot issue for 2024.
How religious liberty became the Roberts court’s North StarThis week, the Supreme Court added two more rulings to its growing list of pro-religion decisions, which continue to profoundly reshape the nation’s religious jurisprudence.
Why Russia crisis requires US vigilance – and an eye for opportunityRussia’s internal crisis creates a period of uncertainty that could affect events beyond Russia’s borders. The challenge for the U.S.: to balance its concerns with an openness to military and diplomatic opportunities.
