Meta Platforms, the owner of Facebook and Instagram, is set to launch a new microblogging app called Threads on Thursday, July 6th. The app is expected to rival Twitter and will allow users to retain their followers from Instagram and keep the same username. According to the app listing on Apple’s App Store, Threads is described as “Instagram’s text-based conversation app” and will allow users to discuss topics from current events to what’s trending. Meta Platforms is looking to capitalize on the recent controversy surrounding Twitter and offer users an alternative platform.
News Mash
Ohio Governor Mike DeWine has requested a Major Presidential Disaster Declaration from President Joe Biden in response to a Norfolk Southern train derailment in East Palestine earlier this year, which caused a fire that burned for several days. East Palestine Fire Chief Bill Jones was one of the first responders and had to decide whether or not to burn toxic chemicals on the train. The disaster declaration would guarantee federal aid to the community in the event that Norfolk Southern’s support ceases. The derailment is still under investigation by the Federal Railroad Administration.
A 41-year-old man from Beaverton, Oregon, tragically died over the weekend after falling 200 feet from a cliff while hiking with his family at Multnomah Falls. The Multnomah County Sheriff's Office responded to reports of the fall and found the man dead at the base. They are continuing to investigate the incident and have asked anyone with information to contact them.
Robert De Niro has issued a statement following the death of his 19-year-old grandson, Leandro Anthony De Niro-Rodriguez. The New York City Police Department said De Niro-Rodriguez was found unconscious and pronounced dead at the scene. De Niro said he was "deeply distressed" and asked for privacy to grieve their loss. The cause of death is yet to be determined by the office of the chief medical examiner.
Key takeaways: Russian air defenses thwarted a Ukrainian drone attack on Moscow, prompting authorities to briefly close one of the city’s international airports. Ukraine’s top…
Hong Kong's leader, Carrie Lam, has announced that eight pro-democracy activists living abroad will be pursued for life for alleged national security offenses. Police have issued wanted notices and rewards of 1 million Hong Kong dollars for information leading to any arrest, and Lam has warned the public not to support the accused financially. Human rights groups have criticized the move, which is seen as a test of Hong Kong's autonomy and commitment to the rule of law.
The US Supreme Court recently ruled in favor of an evangelical Christian web designer who refused to work on same-sex weddings, a decision that has been seen as a setback for LGBTQ rights. The court backed the case of a Christian graphic designer from the state of Colorado who said that due to her beliefs she would not make a wedding website for a same-sex couple. The ruling has raised questions about the implications of the ruling for businesses that provide services to same-sex couples, and its implications remain to be seen.
Four people were killed and two minors injured in a shooting in Philadelphia on Monday night. The suspect was wearing a bulletproof vest and carrying an AR-style rifle, a handgun, and a police scanner. The victims ranged in age from 20 to 59, and the identities of the victims and the suspect have not been released. Police are urging anyone with information to come forward.