Welcome to the Bulletin,
- Brian Dorsey executed: Murderer Brian Dorsey on Tuesday night was executed in Missouri after the rejection of multiple attempts to spare his life, including a petition to the U.S. Supreme Court. Here are his final words.
- Trump's remarks draw backlash: Former President Donald Trump is facing backlash after offering his opinions on why Jewish and Black voters largely favor Democratic political candidates. Here's what he said.
- Letitia James wins $1.25M: New York Attorney General Letitia James wins $1.25M settlement in voter suppression case against Jacob Wohl and Jack Burkman for their 2020 campaign. Learn more.
- Severe thunderstorms: Texas is facing rough weather today as several warnings have been issued for the Lone Star State. Find out which cities are impacted.
- In the ongoing war in Ukraine, Ukraine has shot down one of Russia's Ka-27 military helicopters over the Russian-annexed Crimean Peninsula, Kyiv said on Wednesday.
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TL/DR:
President Biden offered one of his strongest rebukes of Israel's war in Gaza during an interview on Tuesday, saying that he believed what Netanyahu was doing in Gaza "is a mistake.”
A handful of Republican lawmakers have denounced President Joe Biden for criticizing Israel's handling of the war in Gaza, as some Democrats continue pressing him to shift his approach to the six-month conflict.
Why it matters: The White House has escalated its criticism of Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu's military actions in Gaza following a surprise Hamas attack on October 7. International condemnation grew after an airstrike killed seven World Central Kitchen workers. Democratic lawmakers are pressing President Biden for a Gaza cease-fire and to reconsider further security support for Israel in light of a humanitarian crisis with over 1,200 deaths and 253 hostages, per the Associated Press. Republicans criticize the White House for condemning Netanyahu.
Read more in-depth coverage:
Joe Biden's Approval Rating Has Catastrophically Fallen Over Israel
Biden Delivers His Harshest Warning Yet to Israel's Netanyahu
Ted Cruz Calls Democrats 'Cheese-Eating Surrender Monkeys' Over Israel-Hamas
What happens now?
Other Republicans have accused Biden of changing his policies towards Israel in response to pressure from parts of his Democratic electorate in hopes of performing well in November. Polling shows that U.S. voters largely disapprove of the president's handling of the war in Gaza, and Biden faced pressure during primary votes in key states like Michigan earlier this year, where over 100,000 registered Democrats cast an "uncommitted" ballot to protest the White House policies.
TL/DR:
A recently introduced bill would provide a cash prize for the first approved vaccine that prevents the effects of drug use. How possible is one being developed?
Congressman David Schweikert introduced a bill that would provide a billion-dollar prize for the successful development of a vaccine "to prevent, treat, or mitigate opioid, cocaine, methamphetamine, or alcohol use disorder."
Why it matters: Bill H.R. 7827 proposes a "priority review" by the health and human services secretary for anti-drug vaccine candidates, offering public funds to the first successful developer. Researchers explore vaccines to block the brain's response to drugs, a novel approach amid a worsening opioid crisis, particularly from synthetic opioids like fentanyl. With nearly 107,000 overdose deaths in 2021, 66% linked to fentanyl, experts believe these vaccines could offer a significant breakthrough in combating drug addiction.
Read more in-depth coverage:
White House Medical Unit's Mass Order of Fentanyl Raises Questions
Tennessee Moves to Classify 'Vaccine Lettuce' as a Drug
Medicaid Change Sparks Warning for Children
What happens now?
Schweikert is speaking with vaccine researchers, investors, and addiction non-profits to estimate funding for promising drug-counteracting vaccines. Scientists at several American universities and a Brazilian team are developing vaccines against fentanyl and cocaine, respectively. Dr. Thomas Kosten of Baylor College of Medicine believes a fentanyl vaccine could emerge within years, and those for cocaine and methamphetamines might benefit half of the target population, who lack FDA-approved treatments.
TL/DR:
Nearly 10 million Ukrainians have, or risk getting, a mental health condition, according to the World Health Organization.
The visible aftermath of Russia's 2022 invasion of Ukraine is stark, yet the hidden toll on Ukrainians' mental health is equally severe, with approximately 10 million Ukrainians estimated by the World Health Organization to be living with or at risk of mental health conditions as of March 2024.
Why it matters: More than a fifth of people who experienced war and conflict in the past decade suffer from depression, anxiety, PTSD, bipolar disorder, or schizophrenia, according to the WHO. Trauma expert Mooli Lahad spoke to Newsweek about leading a program in Poland, aiding Ukrainian refugees with coping tools. Poland opened its doors to Ukrainian refugees in 2022, and millions have fled since—however, the scars of conflict persist among the displaced.
Read more in-depth coverage:
Ukraine War Maps Show Key Battles of Last 2 Years
Russia's Ambassador Reveals Where Ukraine Peace Talks Stand Two Years On
Putin is Stronger Than Ever—Why?
What happens now?
Ukraine has started its push for mental health treatment. Ukraine's first lady, Olena Zelenska, has been advocating for mental health awareness, and several initiatives have sprouted up in Ukraine to improve access to mental health services.
TL/DR:
Some 71 percent support a move by New York State's assembly that could redefine squatters, polling for Newsweek shows.
Most Americans believe squatters are "trespassers" in all but name—and should be treated as such, a new poll commissioned by Newsweekreveals this week. But New York State Assembly may redefine squatters as trespassers rather than as a subcategory of tenants under the law.
Why it matters: Some 71 percent said they supported New York's bill, with 49 percent strongly supporting the move to treat squatters as trespassers and 22 percent merely supporting it.
The poll follows a spate of high-profile clashes between squatters and homeowners, which has shone a light on the phenomenon. President Joe Biden's administration said it's "critical that local governments take action" to address the issue of squatters nationwide. Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis also signed new legislation in March allowing homeowners to get assistance from law enforcement officials in removing squatters from their homes.
Read more in-depth coverage:
Squatters Spark Warning From Biden Admin: 'Critical' Action Needed
Squatters' Rights Opposed by Majority of Americans
Homeowners Warned About Taking Action Against Squatters Into Own Hands
What happens now?
Despite politicians' concern, legal experts say there has not been a spike in squatting and have dismissed reports of a squatting crisis as "fearmongering," saying it remains rare in the U.S. The poll showed that 66 percent of people who believe the current law in New York is too lenient believe squatters should "never" be given rights. If passed, the legislation would make it much easier for homeowners to remove squatters from their property.
TL/DR:
Florida, Louisiana, and North Carolina are expected to fare the worst if sea levels rise by 6 feet by the end of the century.
A map of the contiguous U.S. shows how coastal states would be affected by 6 feet of sea level rise, an environmental change that could occur by the end of the next century due to ice sheet loss accelerated by climate change.
Why it matters: The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) estimates there will be between 43 and 84 centimeters (1.4 and 2.8 feet) of sea level rise by the year 2100 but said that an increase of 2 meters (6.6 feet) "cannot be ruled out." Sea levels are expected to rise because of sheet ice melting, particularly near the poles. Antarctica contains enough frozen water to raise sea levels by 190 feet, while Greenland's ice sheet holds enough to raise them by a further 23 feet. If all the world's ice melted, the sea would rise by 216 feet.
Read more in-depth coverage:
New York Map Shows Where State Will Become Underwater From Sea Level Rise
California Map Shows Where State Will Become Underwater From Sea Level Rise
Texas Map Shows Where State Will Become Underwater From Sea Level Rise
What happens now?
Which parts of the U.S.—or any landmass—would be subsumed by water depends not only on the sea level rise but also on the terrain at the elevation the sea rises to, which will affect how wide an area would become underwater. If all ice sheets melted, Florida, most of Louisiana, and parts of the Carolinas and Virginia could vanish underwater, as per National Geographic's 2013 analysis.
My Father Murdered My Mother. I Chose to Keep Our Relationship
On August 23, 1987, Selonia Reed was found dead in her 1986 Chevrolet Sprint in a vacant lot at a local convenience store in Hammond, Louisiana.
Her body was covered in lotion, and she had suffered blunt force trauma to her face with multiple stab wounds to the body, including an umbrella between her legs.
Selonia Reed is my mother.
Nearly 40 years later, on November 18, 2022, Reginald Reed Sr. was found guilty of second-degree murder in Selonia's death by a unanimous jury and is now serving life in prison.
Reginald Reed Sr. is my father.
Being raised by a single father who is currently serving a life sentence in prison and maintaining a strong connection with him despite his involvement in my mother's murder has been a complex journey.
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