House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries is urging Maryland Democrats to approve a new congressional map that could help Democrats gain more seats in Congress. Jeffries wants to counter Republican-led redistricting in some states by encouraging Democrats to redraw legislative maps where they have control. Maryland's Senate President Bill Ferguson, however, is hesitant, fearing it might not succeed in state courts.
Key Facts
Hakeem Jeffries, a Democratic leader in the U.S. House, is pushing for a vote on a new congressional map in Maryland.
Jeffries seeks to increase Democratic seats by getting states to redraw districts.
Maryland's new map would potentially remove the state's last Republican-held House seat.
Maryland's Senate President Bill Ferguson worries about legal challenges and does not support a mid-term redistricting move.
Maryland's Governor Wes Moore, also a Democrat, supports the new map.
Maryland’s State Senate is hesitant due to past court rulings against similar maps.
Past court decisions found previous Maryland maps to be overly gerrymandered.
Jeffries has successfully influenced new maps in California and Virginia but faces challenges in other states.
At least eight people died in an avalanche in the Sierra Nevada mountains in California, making it the deadliest in over 40 years. Rescue efforts have been difficult due to a severe winter storm, with one person still missing. Authorities continue to search and warn of high risk for more avalanches due to heavy snow.
Key Facts
Eight people were confirmed dead after an avalanche in the Sierra Nevada mountains.
The incident is the deadliest avalanche in the area in over 40 years.
One person from the avalanche remains missing, while six of the 15 people trapped were found alive.
Rescue operations face challenges due to a strong winter storm in the region.
The avalanche affected people on a three-day trek near Castle Peak, California.
The Sierra Avalanche Center warns of continued high risk of avalanches in the area.
The California Governor’s Office of Emergency Services is coordinating efforts to assist in search and rescue.
Tensions between the United States and Iran are increasing, with factors such as nuclear deal disputes, protester killings, and Israeli pressure pushing both countries closer to potential conflict. President Trump seeks a new nuclear agreement but considers military action if negotiations fail. Strategic military moves, including sending aircraft carriers, suggest escalating preparation for possible war.
Key Facts
The U.S. and Iran have had ongoing disagreements over nuclear weapons, with past attempts at deals failing.
President Trump abandoned the 2015 nuclear deal and adopted a "maximum pressure" strategy.
In June, military actions by the U.S. and Israel targeted Iran's nuclear facilities.
The Iranian regime's crackdown on protesters, resulting in many deaths, prompted threats of U.S. military action.
President Trump has ordered military assets, like aircraft carriers, to the Gulf region.
Israel is preparing for a coordinated military campaign with the U.S. against Iran.
Global oil markets could impact strategic decisions, with possible price jumps if a conflict occurs.
President Donald Trump is leading a new group called the Board of Peace, which will meet for the first time in Washington, DC. This organization aims to be an important international body, and its upcoming meeting will discuss its purpose and members.
Key Facts
President Trump leads the Board of Peace.
The Board of Peace will have its first meeting in Washington, DC, on February 19.
President Trump described the Board as an important international organization.
The group will discuss its goals, activities, and members at the meeting.
Democrats at the Munich Security Conference suggested Trump would not hold power for many more years.
The meeting has drawn attention from political commentators and international partners.
House Democrats questioned billionaire Les Wexner about his relationship with Jeffrey Epstein in a closed-door meeting. Wexner denied being close to Epstein and said he was tricked by him. Wexner stated he has not been contacted by the Department of Justice or the FBI regarding Epstein.
Key Facts
House Democrats questioned Les Wexner about his ties to Jeffrey Epstein.
Wexner is named in Epstein files as a "co-conspirator" but has not been charged with a crime.
Wexner claimed he wasn't close to Epstein and accused him of misusing $46 million of his money.
Democrats stated that Wexner's name appears many times in Epstein files, but he hasn't been questioned by DOJ or FBI.
Wexner visited Epstein's island once for an hour with his family, according to his testimony.
Wexner denied seeing or knowing about any inappropriate activities involving Epstein and others, including President Trump.
The Oversight Committee subpoenaed Wexner as part of an investigation into Epstein's activities.
Wexner's deposition happened after the release of many internal documents related to Epstein.
President Donald Trump voiced his opposition to the UK's plan to hand over the Chagos Islands, including Diego Garcia, to Mauritius. He emphasized the significance of Diego Garcia for military purposes and stressed that it should remain under UK control. Despite Trump's comments, the US officially supports the UK's agreement with Mauritius.
Key Facts
President Trump told the UK not to give the Chagos Islands to Mauritius, focusing on Diego Garcia.
Diego Garcia is a large island used by UK and US military forces.
The UK plans to transfer the Chagos Islands to Mauritius but lease back Diego Garcia for 99 years.
President Trump's remarks were made on social media, calling it a potential "blight" on the UK as an ally.
Officially, the US supports the UK's plan to return sovereignty of the islands to Mauritius.
Talks between the US and Mauritius are set for next week.
The Chagos Islands are part of the British Indian Ocean Territory.
President Donald Trump’s "Board of Peace" plans to invest five billion dollars to rebuild Gaza and deploy thousands of foreign troops there. Critics believe the plan is not enough to address the issues in the region. The board is set to meet in Washington for further discussions.
Key Facts
The "Board of Peace" is an initiative by President Trump.
Five billion dollars are pledged for rebuilding efforts in Gaza.
The plan includes sending thousands of foreign troops to the area.
Critics think the plan does not sufficiently meet the needs of the region.
The board will hold a meeting in Washington to discuss the plan further.
The President of the United Arab Emirates, Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, appeared publicly after rumors of health issues. He attended a meeting with U.S. Senator Lindsey Graham in Abu Dhabi, who denied the health rumors.
Key Facts
UAE President Mohamed bin Zayed made a public appearance amid health rumors.
He met with U.S. Senator Lindsey Graham in Abu Dhabi.
The UAE Presidential Court released a video of the meeting.
The meeting took place at Qasr Al Shati.
Senator Graham dismissed the health rumors on social media.
Turkish President Erdogan postponed his UAE visit, citing MBZ's health, but later deleted his statement.
Mark Zuckerberg, the CEO of Meta, was given legal papers as he arrived at a Los Angeles courthouse. The legal case claims that his social media platforms intentionally cause harm to children by making them addicted.
Key Facts
Mark Zuckerberg is the CEO of Meta, the company that owns Facebook.
He was attending court in Los Angeles.
A man handed him legal documents and said, “you’ve been served with a summons and complaint.”
The lawsuit claims Meta's social media platforms intentionally make children addicted.
The case alleges these platforms harm children because of this addiction.
Some states are testing ways to hold federal agents, like those from ICE and CBP, accountable for their actions, despite these agents having legal protections from lawsuits. The Trump administration claims federal agents have "absolute immunity" from state-led legal actions, which has led to different states trying various legal strategies to challenge this idea.
Key Facts
Federal agents usually have immunity from lawsuits, unlike state and local officials.
President Trump's administration argues that federal agents have complete immunity from state-level prosecutions.
A 1971 Supreme Court decision limited people's ability to sue federal agents.
In 2022, it was decided that Congress must authorize lawsuits against federal agents, but they have not done so.
Illinois has passed a law allowing people to sue federal agents for civil rights violations during immigration enforcement.
California's Senate approved a bill similar to Illinois', which needs further approval to become law.
Several other states are considering similar laws to allow lawsuits against federal agents.
A group called Fight Against Federal Overreach aims to hold federal agents accountable when they overstep their authority.
Leila Shahid, a prominent Palestinian diplomat, passed away at the age of 76 in France. She was the first woman to represent Palestine as an ambassador, serving in several countries including France. Many figures praised her lifelong dedication to the Palestinian cause.
Key Facts
Leila Shahid was 76 years old when she died in the south of France.
She was the first female diplomat to represent Palestine abroad.
Shahid served as the Palestinian ambassador to France from 1994 to 2005.
She later represented Palestine in the European Union, Belgium, and Luxembourg.
Shahid was known for her strong advocacy for Palestinian self-determination.
She was involved in Palestinian refugee camps in Lebanon before her diplomatic career.
Shahid met Palestinian leader Yasser Arafat while studying at the American University of Beirut.
Her passing prompted numerous tributes highlighting her dedication to justice for Palestinians.
Crowds were reportedly fired upon by a security official at a cemetery in Abdanan, Iran, during a ceremony to honor those who died in protests. The incident occurred amidst ongoing anti-government demonstrations in Iran, with people gathering to remember victims of a government crackdown. Reports show the protests have been widespread across Iran, with chants against the government.
Key Facts
A security official in Abdanan, Iran, allegedly fired on mourners at a cemetery.
The event was a commemoration for victims of recent protests against the government.
Chants opposing Iran’s supreme leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, were heard at the gathering.
State media reported the event as peaceful, denying injuries or fatalities.
Verified videos show panic and gunfire at the cemetery.
Anti-government protests, initially over economic issues, have spread widely across Iran since December.
BBC reports that protests reached over 68 towns and cities.
At least 7,015 people have reportedly died, and more than 53,000 have been arrested according to Human Rights Activists News Agency.
The FDA will review Moderna's flu vaccine application after initially declining to do so. Moderna wants approval for a flu shot for people aged 50 and over. The review process should finish by August 5.
Key Facts
The FDA agreed to review Moderna's flu vaccine application after initially refusing.
Moderna's flu vaccine is intended for people aged 50 and older, with expedited approval sought for those over 65.
The FDA initially refused the application because it lacked a comparison with a high-dose vaccine in the trial.
Moderna had already conducted a 40,000-person trial showing the vaccine's effectiveness.
The flu vaccine uses mRNA technology, which has been criticized by Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F Kennedy Jr.
The FDA plans to decide on the revised application by August 5.
The refusal and subsequent acceptance of the vaccine application raised concerns about regulatory consistency and vaccine policies under President Donald Trump's administration.
Moderna's CEO expressed gratitude for the FDA’s willingness to reconsider the application.
A 71-year-old dancer named Denise Sides from Wrexham, Wales, was surprised to learn she would appear in a Taylor Swift music video. She only found out about Swift's involvement ten minutes before filming began. Sides, who has been dancing for 60 years, was chosen for the video from hundreds of applicants.
Key Facts
Denise Sides is a 71-year-old ballroom dancer from Wrexham, Wales.
She was cast in Taylor Swift's music video for the song "Opalite."
Sides auditioned without knowing the artist was Taylor Swift.
The filming was kept secret, and she learned about Swift's participation shortly before shooting.
Sides has been dancing for 60 years and teaches ballroom dancing.
The video, inspired by 90s rom-coms, was released recently.
Sides described the experience as unforgettable and hopes it inspires others to dance.
A new stage play based on Game of Thrones, titled "Game of Thrones: The Mad King," will premiere in Stratford-upon-Avon this summer. The Royal Shakespeare Company is producing the play, set 10 years before the events of the Game of Thrones series, with new material by George RR Martin.
Key Facts
The play is titled "Game of Thrones: The Mad King."
It will open at the Royal Shakespeare Theatre in Stratford-upon-Avon this summer.
It is a prequel, set 10 years before the original Game of Thrones books and TV series.
George RR Martin, the author, is involved and excited about the adaptation.
The play will tell an original story with new material created by Martin.
It will be directed by Dominic Cooke and adapted by Duncan Macmillan.
The storyline involves a tournament and a plot against the realm’s ruler, known as the Mad King.
Rev. Jamal Bryant is calling for Black churches to regain their leadership role during President Trump's term. He is inspired by civil rights leaders like Rev. Jesse Jackson and is urging churches to take stronger action, such as boycotting companies that move away from racial equity. Bryant emphasizes the importance of Black churches in guiding activist efforts today.
Key Facts
Rev. Jamal Bryant wants Black churches to lead in moral and civic issues.
Rev. Jesse Jackson, a significant civil rights leader, passed away recently.
Bryant, inspired by Jackson, aims to revive civil rights activism in Black churches.
He launched a 40-day boycott of Target to protest against reduced racial equity efforts.
Black churches have historically been centers for justice and activism in America.
Bryant collaborates with other pastors to strategize and mobilize communities.
Target reported decreased sales after Bryant's call for a boycott.
Civil rights attorney Maya Wiley highlighted the economic impact of Bryant's actions on companies.
Tony Martin, a farmer who shot and killed a teenage intruder in 1999, left £2.5 million to Jacqueline Wadley, a former pub landlady, as revealed by his will. Martin's 2000 murder conviction was later reduced to manslaughter, and he spent three years in prison. The shooting led to nationwide discussions in the UK about homeowners' rights to defend their property.
Key Facts
Tony Martin shot and killed Fred Barras, a 16-year-old intruder, in 1999 and injured another man, Brendon Fearon.
Martin's original murder conviction was reduced to manslaughter in 2003 due to a diagnosis of paranoid personality disorder.
Martin was released after serving three years in prison.
His will left over £2.5 million to Jacqueline Wadley, a friend and former pub landlady.
The shooting sparked a national debate in the UK about the rights of homeowners to defend their property.
Martin's case influenced changes in UK law regarding "householder's defence" in situations involving intruders.
Martin's estate was valued at approximately £2,567,795.
Police and media coverage of the case was extensive at the time of the incident.
The United Kingdom's High Court ruled that Palestine Action should not have been labeled as a "terrorist" organization. This decision affects many people in the UK who have been arrested in connection to Palestine Action. The ruling also impacts future support for Palestinian causes in Britain.
Key Facts
The UK High Court made a decision about Palestine Action's legal status.
The court said Palestine Action should not be called a "terrorist" group.
Many people have been arrested in the UK due to connections with Palestine Action.
This ruling influences how Palestinian support movements operate in the UK.
Huda Ammori is a co-founder of Palestine Action.
The ruling may lead to changes in how the UK handles similar organizations.
The case is still ongoing towards a final decision.
Real Madrid football player Vinicius Jr reported alleged racist abuse during a match against Benfica. This incident marks the 20th time he has faced such accusations in his eight years with the team. Gianluca Prestianni of Benfica denies the claims, while Vinicius continues to receive strong support from his teammates.
Key Facts
Vinicius Jr is a football player for Real Madrid.
He reported alleged racist abuse during a match at Benfica's stadium in Lisbon.
This is the 20th incident of alleged racist abuse he has faced during his eight years at Real Madrid.
Gianluca Prestianni, a player for Benfica, denies using racist language.
Teammate Kylian Mbappe supported Vinicius and claimed he heard a racist term five times.
After the incident, Benfica's manager, Jose Mourinho, made comments suggesting the situation was provoked by Vinicius.
The issue of racism in football continues to be discussed, with Vinicius seen as a symbol of resistance against discrimination.
India won their final group match against the Netherlands by 17 runs at the T20 World Cup. This victory secured India's top position in Group A and confirmed their spot in the Super Eights stage of the tournament. Key performances included Shivam Dube's significant batting contribution and Varun Chakravarthy's effective bowling.
Key Facts
India beat the Netherlands by 17 runs at the T20 World Cup.
This win gave India a clean sweep of Group A, having won all their matches.
Shivam Dube scored the highest for India with 66 runs from 31 balls.
Varun Chakravarthy achieved the best bowling figures for India, taking 3 wickets for 14 runs.
India's next match in the Super Eights will be against South Africa.
India is one of the co-hosts of the tournament.
Abhishek Sharma, despite being the number one T20 international batsman, has yet to score a run in this tournament.
The match took place at the world’s largest cricket stadium in Ahmedabad.
