The House of Representatives is set to vote Friday on the annual defense policy bill, which has been a bipartisan effort for more than six decades. However, the bill is now facing an uncertain future due to Republican amendments that would cut funding for abortion- and gender transition-related services, causing sharp opposition from congressional Democrats. The Pentagon had previously announced that it would provide travel allowances for troops to access “non-covered reproductive health care”, but the NDAA amendments would reverse this decision. It remains to be seen if the bill will pass with the amendments intact, or if the two parties can come to an agreement on a compromise.
News Mash
Sofia Haley Marks was arrested in New York City on Thursday in connection with the overdose death of actor Robert De Niro's grandson, Leandro Anthony De Niro-Rodriguez. Marks is expected to face federal drug charges in a Manhattan federal court on Friday. The death of Leandro De Niro-Rodriguez has highlighted the dangers of drug abuse and the need for more effective prevention and treatment programs, and it is hoped that Marks' arrest will be a step towards curbing the illegal drug trade in the city.
Biden Administration Announces Plan to Provide Debt Relief to 800,000 Federal Student Loan Borrowers
Biden Administration Announces Plan to Provide Debt Relief to 800,000 Federal Student Loan Borrowers
The Biden administration has announced a plan to provide debt relief to more than 800,000 federal student loan borrowers, with $39 billion in debt being forgiven after 20 or 25 years of payments. The Department of Education is also reviewing accounts of borrowers who may have been affected and will provide additional debt relief if necessary. Additionally, the Department of Education is working on improving income-driven repayment plans to reduce student loan payments for those struggling financially.
On July 14th, 2023, India's space agency successfully launched the Chandrayaan-3 spacecraft aboard a LVM3-M4 rocket from the Satish Dhawan Space Centre. The mission will be the first to land on the dark side of the moon, carrying a lunar lander and a small rover to explore the lunar surface. If successful, the mission will be a major achievement for India's space program and will further cement India's position as a major space power.
After more than a decade of searching, a suspect has been taken into custody in connection with the unsolved murders of at least 10 women whose bodies were found on Long Island's Gilgo Beach. The suspect is from Massapequa, and there is a large police presence in Massapequa Park. Eleven sets of remains have been found in the area, but it is unclear if the suspect is connected to all of them.
Hollywood stars Matt Damon, Emily Blunt, Cillian Murphy, Florence Pugh, and Fran Drescher have joined forces to support the Screen Actors Guild (SAG) in their fight for fair wages. The union is calling for increased wages, better residuals, and improved safety protocols for performers, and the strike is the first major strike by the union in more than 40 years. The strike is expected to have a major impact on the entertainment industry, with many productions likely to be delayed or halted due to the lack of union actors.
Rep. Eli Crane (R-Ariz.) sparked controversy on the House floor when he referred to non-white Americans serving in the U.S. military as “colored people” while proposing an amendment to the National Defense Authorization Act. Rep. Joyce Beatty (D-Ohio) argued that Crane's language was "offensive and unacceptable" and that it was "unfortunate that we have to debate an amendment that seeks to limit the progress of people of color and women." Crane argued that his amendment was meant to ensure that recruitment and promotion decisions were based on merit, rather than on any other ideological concepts. The amendment was ultimately voted down, highlighting the ongoing struggle to ensure that recruitment and promotion decisions in the military are based on merit.
Gabby Douglas, the three-time gold medal-winning Olympic gymnast, has announced her return to the sport after a seven-year hiatus. She expressed her excitement and gratitude for the opportunity to return, and mentioned that she is in a good mental health place, having "found peace." Douglas has been keeping busy since her last Olympics appearance in 2012, and her return to the sport is sure to be an exciting one.