Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) has undergone a comprehensive medical evaluation, including a brain MRI imaging, EEG study, and consultations with neurologists, which showed no evidence of a seizure disorder, stroke, or Parkinson's disease. The attending physician, Brian Monahan, has cleared McConnell to resume his duties in the Senate, and McConnell has expressed his gratitude for the professional care and support of his colleagues. The evaluation has put to rest any questions about McConnell's health and ability to serve in the Senate.
News Mash
This article discusses a federal panel of judges striking down a congressional map created by Alabama Republicans, which only included one majority-Black district. The panel noted that they are not aware of any other case in which a state legislature responded with a plan that does not provide an additional opportunity district, despite a federal court order. As a result, the job of redrawing the congressional map has been given to a special master, which is a major victory for voting rights.
The Spanish women's soccer team made history by winning their first ever World Cup title this year, but their coach Jorge Vilda has been fired by the Royal Spanish Football Federation (RFEF). The decision comes after controversy surrounding RFEF president Luis Rubiales, who was criticized for kissing a player without her consent. It is unclear if the firing is related to the controversy, and the RFEF has yet to announce a replacement for Vilda.
A federal panel of judges has announced that they will be drafting new congressional lines for Alabama after the state's Republican-controlled Legislature refused to create a second district where Black voters would make up a majority of the population. The panel has blocked the use of the state's newly drawn congressional map in next year's elections and appointed a special master to draw new districts for the state. The decision has been met with mixed reactions from Alabama residents, and the judges have not yet announced a timeline for when the new districts will be completed.
Saudi Arabia and Russia have agreed to extend their voluntary oil production cuts through the end of 2021, a move that could help stabilize the global oil market and boost energy prices. The combined cuts of 1.3 million barrels of crude out of the global market are intended to “support the stability and balance of oil markets”, pushing benchmark Brent crude above $90 a barrel in trading Tuesday afternoon. The agreement comes despite President Joe Biden's warning of unspecified “consequences” for partnering with Russia on cuts.
Elon Musk, the world's richest man, has recently come under fire for engaging in anti-Semitic behavior, including blaming the Anti-Defamation League (ADL) for his company's declining ad revenue and Jeffrey Clark, one of Donald Trump's co-defendants in Georgia, posting a religious attack against a former Justice Department official. The public has responded with shock and outrage, calling for accountability and the ADL has released a statement condemning the behavior. This has highlighted the need for greater awareness of anti-Semitism and other forms of bigotry.
Four progressive candidates are running in a special primary election in Rhode Island to fill the congressional seat of former Rep. David Cicilline. Three conservative candidates are also vying for the seat, with little difference between them on the issues. The winner of the primary will be the first to break new demographic ground in Congress, and the results will be announced on Tuesday.
On Monday morning, a vehicle crashed into a Denny's restaurant in Rosenberg, Texas, injuring 23 people. Video of the aftermath shows a red vehicle fully inside the restaurant, with the wall and windows around it demolished. The driver of the SUV was taken to a local hospital for evaluation, while the 23 injured patrons were taken to local hospitals for treatment with injuries ranging from minor cuts to severe injuries that do not appear to be life-threatening.