At the 95th Annual Academy Awards, Nigerian musician and producer Tems debuted an extravagant look from the LA-based label Lever Couture, featuring a sculptural flourish of pleated and boned fabric strips and a skirt so full it extended above her head. While some viewers were left wondering if her ensemble was too much, the singer’s look was a standout among the other fashion choices of the night.
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The EPA has proposed a new regulation to limit the presence of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) in drinking water, setting legally enforceable levels for six manufactured chemicals that are known to contaminate drinking water and pose significant health risks. The proposed regulation would require public water systems to monitor the chemicals and alert the public if the chemicals exceed the maximum contaminant levels. The proposed regulation is part of the Biden administration's efforts to reduce harmful chemicals in drinking water and provide much-needed clarity and protection for drinking water supplies across the country.
On Tuesday, a Russian Su-27 fighter jet collided with an American MQ-9 Reaper drone over the Black Sea, marking the first direct contact between Russian and US military aircraft since the Russian invasion of Ukraine. The US Air Force reported that the Russian jet intentionally flew in front of and dumped fuel in front of the unmanned drone, which was brought down in international waters. The White House called the intercept "reckless" and the US Air Force is currently investigating the incident. The collision is a reminder of the tensions between the two countries and the need for increased communication and cooperation.
The Justice Department has opened an investigation into the collapse of Silicon Valley Bank and Signature Bank. Customers and employees of both banks will have full access to their deposits, including insured and uninsured deposits, and the FDIC is working to ensure that they have access to their money. The outcome of the investigation is still unclear, but customers and employees can rest assured that their deposits are safe.
Tennessee Lt. Gov. Randy McNally has announced that he will be taking a break from social media following criticism for commenting on posts of nearly nude photos of a 20-year-old gay model. His decision has been met with mixed reactions, prompting questions about the role of social media in politics and the need for more guidance on its use by elected officials. McNally has stated that his intent was always engagement and encouragement, and that he will be pausing his social media activity in order to reflect and receive more guidance.
Florida is facing a wave of anti-trans legislation from Republicans, which President Joe Biden has called "cruel" and "close to sinful." These bills include banning public drag performances, blocking trans athletes from playing on school teams, and barring discussion about sexuality and gender identity in schools. LGBTQ advocates have also spoken out against the bills, urging the state to focus on protecting the rights of LGBTQ individuals, rather than attacking them. President Biden and LGBTQ advocates have strongly opposed the legislation, and it remains to be seen how the state will respond.
The White House has called for former Vice President Mike Pence to apologize for a joke he made about Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg's parental leave at the annual Gridiron Club dinner. The joke has been deemed offensive and inappropriate, as it treated women suffering from postpartum depression as a punchline. Karine Jean-Pierre, White House press secretary, has stated that Pence should apologize to women and LGBTQ people for the joke.
A 13-year-old girl reported missing in Dallas, Texas was found safe in an outbuilding in North Carolina after being enticed away from home by an adult man she met on a social media platform. The man, 34-year-old Jorge Ivan Santos Camacho, was arrested on child abduction, felonious restraint, statutory rape and other charges. The girl was found unharmed and has since been reunited with her family. The Davidson County Sheriff's Office is continuing to investigate the incident and encourages parents to be aware of their children's online activity.