Key takeaways: G7 nations, including the United States, Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, and the United Kingdom, have announced a joint declaration of support for…
News Mash
The Iowa Legislature passed a bill banning most abortions after six weeks of pregnancy, with only Republican support. The bill includes narrow exceptions for rape and incest, and was passed despite vocal objections from Democratic lawmakers and abortion advocates. After the bill was approved, protesters in the gallery booed and yelled “shame” to state senators.
FBI Director Christopher Wray is set to face questioning from the House Judiciary Committee on Wednesday regarding the alleged weaponization of law enforcement against conservatives. He is expected to defend his employees' work and address the controversy surrounding the arrest of Gal Luft, a dual U.S.-Israeli citizen who has claimed he was persecuted at the direction of the Biden family. The hearing is likely to be contentious, as both Republicans and Democrats clash over the FBI's role in the matter.
US government reported that inflation cooled to its slowest pace in more than two years, with the Consumer Price Index growing at an annual rate of 3%. Core inflation, which strips out volatile food and energy prices, rose 4.8% on an annual basis. The cooling of inflation is seen as a sign that the Federal Reserve's interest rate hikes are having the desired effect, but the Fed will need to continue to monitor inflation closely to ensure it remains at a manageable level.
SAG-AFTRA has agreed to the studios' request for federal mediation in an effort to bridge the divide in stalled contract talks. The union is pushing for increased wages and better working conditions for its members, while the studios have argued that the current economic climate makes it difficult to meet the union's demands. The federal mediation process is expected to begin in the coming weeks, with both sides expressing hope that it will lead to a successful resolution.
Milan Kundera, the renowned Czech author and dissident, has passed away at the age of 94. He was a major figure in the Czech literary scene in the 1960s and his works, which often explored themes of love, exile, politics and the deeply personal, won him critical acclaim and a wide readership. His novel "The Unbearable Lightness of Being" is considered one of his best works and has been translated into more than 40 languages, selling millions of copies worldwide. He was awarded the prestigious Jerusalem Prize in 2000 for his contribution to literature.
Vermont is beginning to recover from a storm that caused flooding and trapped residents in their homes. The receding of the floodwaters has allowed officials to focus on the recovery process, with the state and local governments providing assistance and assessing the damage.
Florida Governor Ron DeSantis has stated that he would not be former President Donald Trump's running mate if given the opportunity, citing the lack of authority of the vice presidency. He also criticized both Trump and President Joe Biden for their ability to win over suburban women, and is currently 30 points behind Trump in the polls. It is unclear if DeSantis will run for president in 2024, but he has made it clear that he will not be Trump's running mate.