House Republicans have been vocal opponents of "defund the police" but have been silent in the face of potential criminal indictment of President Donald Trump over illegal payments to Stormy Daniels. This has been met with criticism from conservative attorney George Conway, who called their behavior "complete disgraces." It remains to be seen how the GOP will respond to the allegations against Trump and whether they will continue to remain silent or take a stand in defense of the President.
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The US Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) has issued an alert warning of the widespread threat of fentanyl mixed with xylazine, a veterinary tranquilizer. According to the DEA, this combination is more potent and can cause more severe health effects than fentanyl alone. The DEA is urging the public to be aware of the dangers of fentanyl and xylazine and to seek help if they or someone they know is struggling with addiction.
Finland has been ranked the happiest country in the world for the sixth consecutive year according to the U.N.'s World Happiness Report. The report uses data from Gallup to evaluate each country based on physical and mental health, lack of corruption and effective government. Despite the pandemic, the report found that life evaluations from 2020 to 2022 have been “remarkably resilient” and global averages remain in line with the three years preceding the pandemic.
The CDC has issued a warning about the rapid spread of Candida auris, a drug-resistant fungus, in U.S. health care facilities. In 2020, 756 cases were reported, but in 2021 that number had increased to 1,471, a 95% increase. The CDC is urging health care providers to take steps to prevent its spread, as it could become a major public health threat.
Florida Governor Ron DeSantis has criticized the Manhattan District Attorney's investigation into the $130,000 hush money payment made to Stormy Daniels during Donald Trump's 2016 presidential campaign. DeSantis, a potential 2024 Republican presidential nominee, made his comments without offering any support for the former president. The investigation is in the final stages of determining whether Trump should face charges, sparking outrage among his supporters and raising questions about his political future. DeSantis has stated that his office will not be involved in the matter if it reaches Trump's adopted home state.
President Joe Biden will honor 12 artists and groups with the 2021 National Medal of Arts and National Humanities Medals at a White House ceremony on Tuesday. Legendary performer Bruce Springsteen, Jose Feliciano, Vera Wang, Fred Eychaner, Joan Shigekawa, Judith Francisca Baca, Antonio Martorell, Mindy Kaling, Gladys Knight, and Julia Louis-Dreyfus will be among the recipients. The National Medal of Arts is the highest American award given to artists, art patrons, and groups that have advanced arts in the United States.
The cast of the hit AppleTV+ show Ted Lasso recently joined President Joe Biden and First Lady Jill Biden at the White House press briefing to discuss the importance of mental health. Jason Sudeikis, who plays the title character, noted that mental health is a popular theme on the show and encouraged people to check in on the mental health of their friends, family, and co-workers. The exchange was a reminder that mental health is a universal issue, and that we all have the power to make a difference.
Recent banking failures have caused investors to be concerned about uninsured deposits, prompting the FDIC to become a household name. The FDIC is a government agency that insures deposits up to $250,000 per account, funded by premiums paid by member banks. Understanding the FDIC and its role in protecting deposits is essential for investors.