$17K water bill cut after mystery leak found at N. Portland home, but no one knows where water went
oregonlive.com/portland/2024/03/17k-water-bill-cut-after-mystery-leak-found-at-n-portland-home-but-no-one-knows-where-water-went.html
Republican-passed bill removes role of Democratic governor if Senate vacancy occurs in Kentucky
apnews.com/article/kentucky-legislature-senate-vacancies-faf6f1f41fa42c3e0b818fc3fb3d4d4a
'It's about time:' France considers a law to ban hair discrimination: Lawmakers in France’s lower house of parliament on Thursday approved a bill that would ban ...
nbcnews.com/news/nbcblk/s-time-france-considers-law-ban-hair-discrimination-rcna145455
Youngkin vetoes bill setting up sale of recreational marijuana in Virginia: Virginia Gov. Glenn Youngkin (R) on Thursday vetoed a bill that would have ...
trib.al/PN4TFMx
Quick Glance: Youngkin signs 2 gun control measures in Virginia
- Virginia Governor Glenn Youngkin vetoed an assault weapons ban passed by the state Legislature and instead signed two more limited gun regulations into law.
- Youngkin signed laws banning gun trigger switches that can make firearms fire automatically and allowing criminal charges against parents who allow children access to weapons deemed threats.
- While praised by gun control activists, they urge him to do more, emphasizing that the work does not stop here.
- The signing of the two gun control bills by Youngkin is seen as a step in the right direction, showing that America's gun violence crisis does not have to be accepted as inevitable.
Lawmakers in Thailand pass a bill to legalize same-sex marriage by an overwhelming majority
apnews.com/article/thailand-marriage-same-sex-equality-law-9a2f9da6b5b36a1cf70dee5caec70e23
Quick Glance: Thailand Moves Closer to Legalizing Same-Sex Unions
- Thailand's parliament approves a landmark marriage equality bill.
- The bill recognizes marriage between two individuals regardless of gender.
- Passage of the bill is a significant step for Thailand towards liberalizing attitudes on LGBT issues.
- Although there are some unresolved issues, the bill is seen as a positive step for the LGBT community.
How Greene’s bid to topple Johnson could blow up the House — or in her own face: One House Republican summed up the fear: Her move could “deliver aid to Ukraine” ...
politico.com/news/2024/03/28/marjorie-taylor-greene-mike-johnson-ouster-00149325
Quick Glance: House Speaker Mike Johnson Faces Difficult Task
- House Speaker Mike Johnson has been contemplating a funding package for over a month that would send desperately needed ammunition and weaponry to Ukraine.
- Johnson is facing dilemmas in Congress about how to handle funding for Ukraine and how decisively to act while his own leadership position is being threatened.
- There is growing support for the funding package proposed by Johnson, despite challenges from hardliners within the House party and concerns about Israel's offensive.
- The mood in Kyiv is tense as the city withstands missile attacks and awaits approval of aid from Washington.
BREAKING: House Speaker Mike Johnson has announced that the impeachment articles for Department of Homeland Security Sec. Alejandro Mayorkas will be sent over ... Show more
Germany’s Beloved Dachshund Could Be Threatened Under Breeding Bill: The bill would strengthen laws around dog breeding, but Germany’s kennel club worries that ...
nytimes.com/2024/03/28/world/europe/dachshund-dog-breeding-ban-germany.html
Traffic light and CDU/CSU apparently agree on protecting the Constitutional Court
tagesschau.de/inland/verfassungsgericht-einigung-100.html
Israel’s President Isaac Herzog met with a US Congress Democrats delegation in Jerusalem on Thursday, where he stated that US and Israel's "unbreakable ... Show more
Are US-South Africa ties at breaking point over Israel’s war on Gaza?: A US bill is calling to reassess US-South Africa relations, pointing to tensions amid the ...
aljazeera.com/news/2024/3/28/are-us-south-africa-ties-at-breaking-point-over-israels-war-on-gaza
Africa Live: Deadly cyclone hits northern Madagascar - BBC News: At least six people have died with some of them having drowned in floodwaters - and other ...
bbc.co.uk/news/world/africa/live
Quick Glance: Africa Live: Court Sentences Former Liberian Rebel Leader to 30 Years - BBC News
- Police in Togo dispersed an opposition press conference convened to discuss a controversial constitutional reform. Concerns exist that shifting from a presidential to a parliamentary system could lead to the long-standing President, Faure Gnassingbe, staying in power indefinitely.
- Uganda's President, Yoweri Museveni, formally inaugurated the nation's inaugural interest-free commercial Islamic bank. This financial institution is expected to play a substantial role in advancing the country's financial sector.
- A South African entrepreneur has been implicated in the murder of renowned rapper AKA. Allegedly, the individual transferred a significant sum of money to one of the current suspects on trial for the rapper's homicide.
- A French court commuted the life sentence of former Liberian rebel leader Kunti Kamara to 30 years. He was convicted of crimes against humanity and violence against civilians during Liberia's civil war.
Idaho governor signs bill banning use of public funds for gender-affirming care: Transgender people in Idaho will no longer be able to use Medicaid and other ...
trib.al/xQZp6JN
Kansas lawmakers send bill banning gender-affirming care for minors to governor’s desk
thehill.com/homenews/lgbtq/4561969-kansas-gender-affirming-care-ban-trans-youth/
ON SECOND THOUGHT: U.S. Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen appeared to walk back comments Biden made about the federal government footing the bill for ... Show more
GOP Congressman Says It's 'Outrageous' To Use Federal Funds To Fix Baltimore Bridge
huffpost.com/entry/baltimore-bridge-collapse-federal-funds_n_6605c9c4e4b05f4de32837bf
Quick Glance: Tragedy in Baltimore: Fatal Bridge Collapse and Intensive Investigations
- A cargo ship that lost control and crashed into a bridge in Baltimore had previously undergone engine maintenance in the port, according to the US Coast Guard. Divers retrieved the bodies of two of the six workers who fell into the water, while the search for the others was deemed unsuccessful.
- Investigators commenced gathering evidence from the cargo ship involved in striking the Francis Scott Key Bridge. The victims were from Mexico, Guatemala, Honduras, and El Salvador, with authorities suspecting that the other vehicles with victims were trapped.
Alabama Democrat Flips State Seat After Running on Abortion Rights, IVF Access: In Alabama, a Democrat has flipped a seat in the state Legislature after running ...
democracynow.org/2024/3/28/headlines/alabama_democrat_flips_state_seat_after_running_on_abortion_rights_ivf_access
Quick Glance: IVF Ruling and Abortion Debate in Alabama Election
- As the Alabama election approaches, candidates focus on abortion and in vitro fertilization (IVF), with Republicans reinforcing support for IVF and Democrats opposing abortion restrictions.
- Democrats strategically highlight reproductive issues post Roe v. Wade overturn, viewing the Alabama race as a pivotal test for their stance on abortion.
- Despite voter resonance on reproductive issues, the election outcome is not expected to significantly alter Republican dominance in the state legislature, but would symbolically mark a notable win for Democrats.
- The stark divide in candidate strategies underscores the ongoing debate over reproductive rights, shaping the battleground district's electoral landscape with high stakes for both parties.
Montana’s high court strikes down voting reform laws: The Montana Supreme Court on Wednesday ruled a series of voting reform laws passed by the state Legislature ...
thehill.com/homenews/state-watch/4560550-montanas-high-court-strikes-down-voting-reform-laws/
Could assisted dying be coming to Scotland?: MSPs will get the chance to make Scotland the first part of the UK to let people legally end their lives.
bbc.com/news/uk-scotland-68674769
Tennessee rolls back police reform passed after the death of Tyre Nichols: Police reform passed in the wake of Tyre Nichols’ death at the hands of Memphis police ...
wpln.org/post/tennessee-rolls-back-police-reform-passed-after-the-death-of-tyre-nichols/
Thames Water boss refuses to rule out bill increases of up to 40% to secure company's future
news.sky.com/story/thames-water-boss-refuses-to-rule-out-bill-increases-of-up-to-40-to-secure-companys-future-13103219
Quick Glance: Thames Water Directors Discuss Utility's Future
- The board of Thames Water engaged in crucial discussions as shareholders consider diluting a funding pledge. Shareholders, including the Universities Superannuation Scheme (USS) and China's sovereign wealth fund, may retract hundreds of millions of pounds in promised funding.
- Thames Water, employing about 7,000 people and serving nearly a quarter of the British population, is grappling with over £15 billion in debt. Shareholders had committed to provide £3.25 billion in the coming years, with the initial £750 million slated for this year.
- The shareholders' decision to reduce financial support could leave the heavily indebted company with few viable options to secure its future. Sky News previously reported that Whitehall officials had prepared contingency plans for Thames Water's potential collapse.
- Thames Water, serving 15 million customers in London and the south-east of England, has faced significant pressure due to leaks, sewage contamination, executive pay, and dividends. The prospect of temporary nationalisation in the event of a collapse could cost taxpayers billions.
Legal experts worry about presidential abuse of the Insurrection Act. Here's why: Experts say the Insurrection Act gives a president too much sweeping power to ...
npr.org/2024/03/28/1241141939/insurrection-act
‘Over my dead body’, say Gambian mothers amid efforts to lift FGM ban: As politicians work to repeal anti-female circumcision law, women stand firm to shield the ...
aljazeera.com/features/2024/3/28/mothers-fight-to-protect-daughters-as-the-gambia-considers-unbanning-fgm
Opinion | Don’t Look Away From What’s Happening in Hong Kong: As Beijing cracks down, Hong Kongers are purging evidence of their lost liberties.
nytimes.com/2024/03/26/opinion/hong-kong-law-freedom.html
The House GOP thought it was moving past internal drama. Then more showed up.: Republicans thought threats to oust the speaker had largely subsided after many ...
washingtonpost.com/politics/2024/03/27/house-gop-thought-it-was-moving-past-internal-drama-then-more-showed-up/
Gun safety advocates plan human chain to honor Covenant School shooting victims: Thousands of people will form a 4-mile human chain Wednesday in Nashville, Tenn. ...
thehill.com/homenews/state-watch/4559292-tennessee-gun-safety-advocates-covenant-school-shooting-victims/
A Stranger Bought My Groceries. Should I Have Refused Her Offer?: The magazine’s Ethicist columnist on random acts of kindness.
nytimes.com/2024/03/27/magazine/stranger-groceries-gift-ethics.html
Saudi Arabia’s Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, on behalf of King Salman, received on Tuesday in Jeddah the credentials of foreign ambassadors-designate to ... Show more
Thailand has cleared an important hurdle on the way to legalizing same-sex marriage: The lower house of parliament in Bangkok voted with a clear majority in ... Show more
Customer abuses Toronto delivery agent on video, gets called out for racism, harassment
indianexpress.com/article/world/customer-abuses-toronto-delivery-agent-on-video-gets-called-out-for-racism-harassment-9239061/
Bills targeting book bans raise concerns about the penalties libraries could face
nbcnews.com/politics/politics-news/bills-targeting-book-bans-raise-concerns-penalties-libraries-face-rcna143635
Kansas legislature sends ban on gender-affirming care for minors to Democratic governor’s desk
cnn.com/2024/03/27/politics/kansas-legislature-gender-affirming-care-ban/
Paid articlePaid
Texas’ immigration-enforcement law again kept on hold by federal appeals court: The 2-1 decision came late Tuesday from a three-judge panel at the Fifth Circuit ...
keranews.org/texas-news/2024-03-27/texas-immigration-enforcement-law-again-kept-on-hold-by-federal-appeals-court
House wracked by dysfunction as members plot exits: "Most all of us are contemplating leaving," one House Republican said.
axios.com/2024/03/27/house-members-retiring-quitting-productivity
Zelenskyy to Speaker Johnson: Swift passage of aid for Ukraine by Congress is critical - Euromaidan Press
euromaidanpress.com/2024/03/28/zelenskyi-to-speaker-johnson-swift-passage-of-aid-for-ukraine-by-congress-is-critical/
Quick Glance: Zelenskyy Urges Swift Aid Approval for Ukraine by Congress
- Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has urged the US House Speaker to quickly approve a stalled military and financial aid package for Kyiv.
- The $60+ billion aid package for Ukraine has been blocked by Republican members of Congress and is set to be voted on after the Easter recess.
- Zelenskyy emphasized the urgency of the aid amid intense Russian attacks and the critical battlefield situation.
- He also called on Congress to cut off Russia's financing of the war machine to halt the escalation.
Retired justice tells CNN to expect ‘more and more and more’ abortion cases at the Supreme Court
cnn.com/2024/03/27/politics/stephen-breyer-abortion-wolf-blitzer-interview/
Paid articlePaid
U.S. appeals court keeps block on Texas immigration law: A federal appeals court panel decided to continue blocking a Texas immigration law from taking effect ...
washingtonpost.com/immigration/2024/03/27/texas-immigration-law-federal-appeals-court/
Leader of Opposition Business in the Senate Peter Bunting on Wednesday attempted to use part of his contribution to the debate of the Appropriation Act ... Show more
Kurigram to perk up with Bhutan's economic zone: Nur Islam, 70, a marginal farmer in Kurigram, one of the most poverty-prone regions of Bangladesh ...
thedailystar.net/news/bangladesh/news/kurigram-perk-bhutans-economic-zone-3576541
Federal court upholds DeSantis-backed congressional map: The decision is a major win for Republicans in Washington — and Florida Gov Ron DeSantis.
politico.com/news/2024/03/27/florida-redistricting-house-desantis-00149448
Why Tennessee lawmakers are pushing a bill to keep government from spraying the sky
washingtonpost.com/climate-environment/2024/03/27/chemtrails-conspiracy-geoengineering/
Katie Price says 'nobody can take her house' after being declared bankrupt again: Former glamour model Katie Price, 45, was declared bankrupt for a second time ...
mirror.co.uk/3am/celebrity-news/katie-price-says-nobody-can-32440866
Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis signs bill that bans children under 14 from having social media accounts
nbcnews.com/tech/florida-ron-desantis-signs-bill-social-media-kids-ban-rcna144950
Quick Glance: Florida's Legislation Limits Social Media Access for Minors
- Florida Governor Ron DeSantis signs bill prohibiting social media use for children under 14.
- Supporters aim to safeguard children's mental health, while critics argue against potential infringement on free speech.
- The law mandates social media platforms to delete accounts of minors and conduct third-party age verification.
- Several other states have implemented comparable regulations, with Meta opposing the law citing privacy concerns.
Veteran group launches $500K ad blitz urging support for Ukraine: A veteran-focused progressive political action committee (PAC) is launching a ...
thehill.com/homenews/campaign/4557159-veteran-group-launches-ad-blitz-urging-support-ukraine/
After 168 years, Birmingham-Southern College will cease operations on May 31, 2024 following a unanimous decision from the school's board of trustees ... Show more
Smart meter figures: Nearly four million not working properly: Customers report being hit by hefty bills caused by smart meters not working properly.
bbc.com/news/articles/cz9zqn77ezno
Quick Glance: Checking Faulty Smart Meters: 4 Million Affected
- Energy ministers call for accountable regulation after discovering nearly four million smart meters in the UK are not functioning properly.
- The number of meters not operating in smart mode increased from 2.7 million in June 2023 to 3.98 million in December. Ofgem intervention is urged to ensure consumers and small businesses receive the full benefits of smart metering.
- Customers can verify the functionality of their smart meters by checking their meter readings online, via apps, or paper statements. If issues arise, they should contact their provider and temporarily submit manual readings.
- Some customers face massive bills due to faulty meters. Many providers are slow to refund overpayments. Complaints can be made to the providers and escalated to the ombudsman if issues remain unresolved.
Investigations against Brazil's ex-president: Bolsonaro's overnight stays in the Hungarian embassy cause outrage
spiegel.de/ausland/brasilien-jairo-bolsonaro-uebernachtet-in-ungarns-botschaft-fuer-asyl-a-f1ad0383-fd6d-4977-910c-ac46e3f193ed
Ukrainian foreign minister stresses need for more weapons: ‘Give us the damn Patriots’
thehill.com/policy/international/4556730-ukrainian-foreign-minister-stresses-need-more-weapons/
ACLU sues Ohio over ban on gender-affirming care for minors: The American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) sued the state of Ohio on Tuesday over a law set to take ...
thehill.com/homenews/lgbtq/4558192-aclu-sues-ohio-over-ban-on-gender-affirming-care-for-minors/
Kansas Republicans advance bill requiring abortion providers to state reason for patient’s procedure
thehill.com/policy/healthcare/4558102-kansas-republicans-advance-bill-requiring-abortion-providers-to-state-reason-for-patients-procedure/
Government fails to rush extraordinary immigration powers through parliament: The Senate has rejected the government's bid to rush extraordinary immigration ...
abc.net.au/news/2024-03-27/coalition-wont-support-immigration-legislation/103638462
New draft law: Will homeopathy remain a health insurance benefit after all?: Health insurance companies should no longer pay for homeopathic medicines ...
spiegel.de/politik/bleibt-homoeopathie-doch-kassenleistung-karl-lauterbach-legt-neuen-gesetzentwurf-vor-a-896d36f0-6ca2-49a1-8fe0-230444104b1d
Washington governor signs ‘strippers’ bill of rights’ into law: Washington Gov. Jay Inslee (D) signed the so-called strippers’ bill of rights into law Tuesday ...
thehill.com/homenews/state-watch/4557274-washington-governor-signs-strippers-bill-of-rights-into-law/
Democrat Bush calls to repeal ‘zombie statute’ raised in abortion pill case: Justice Samuel Alito invoked the Comstock Act during the arguments ...
trib.al/vdA8wdb
White House vows to repeal GOP-led ban on Pride flags over U.S. embassies: A provision in the $1.2 trillion government funding bill effectively bans nonofficial ...
washingtonpost.com/politics/2024/03/25/pride-flags-spending-bill/
UK farmers in tractors head to Parliament to protest rules they say threaten livelihoods
apnews.com/article/britain-farmers-tractor-protest-parliament-4a36f9038c02e3187569a2304408dba4
Quick Glance: Farmers Rally for Food Security
- Farmers protest against food imports and labeling.
- Protests highlight the growing challenges faced by British farming.
- Criticism of trade deals and inadequate food security monitoring.
- Call for European regulation alignment to support British farmers.
Florida governor signs law restricting social media access for children: Florida Republican Governor Ron DeSantis signed a bill into law banning children under ...
cnn.com/2024/03/25/tech/florida-social-media-law-age/
Wyoming governor vetoes bill to allow concealed carry in public schools and meetings
apnews.com/article/wyoming-gun-ban-schools-meetings-de17e4d0305f966fb48f106211b4702b
Sen. Lisa Murkowski not ruling out splitting with GOP: "I am navigating my way through some very interesting political times, so let's just leave it at that ...
axios.com/2024/03/24/lisa-murkowski-gop-exit-trump
Weakened House GOP majority reckons with Johnson’s leadership: Spending bill passes with Democratic support, sparking familiar Republican complaints with ...
washingtonpost.com/politics/2024/03/24/house-speaker-johnson-spending-complaints/
Quick Glance: Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene Moves to Oust Speaker Mike Johnson
- Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene filed a motion to oust Speaker Mike Johnson, refraining from forcing an immediate vote on his removal.
- The motion was submitted as the House voted to prevent a government shutdown.
- The motion requires a simple majority vote to remove the speaker and won't be addressed until after the House returns on April 9.
- Some Republican members opposed removing Johnson as speaker due to concerns about potentially ending up with a Democratic speaker.
Rwanda's lower house of parliament has passed a bill that proposes stricter regulations to protect forests in the country ... Show more
Quick Glance: Africa Live: Ethiopian bank suffers multimillion-dollar loss due to technical issue
- South Africa: Court rejects ANC's request to deregister Zuma's party
- Ethiopian bank loses over $14 million due to technical glitch
- Rwanda passes law to preserve forests
- South Africa demands German company SAP to repay $26 million
Kansas moves to join Texas and other states in requiring porn sites to verify people's ages
apnews.com/article/internet-pornography-age-verification-states-2ad9939bb95ccc15126419b38067be94
New Indiana law requires professors to promote 'intellectual diversity' to keep tenure
npr.org/2024/03/22/1239534856/new-indiana-law-requires-professors-to-promote-intellectual-diversity-to-keep-te
Ex-Ohio state House Speaker, imprisoned in corruption case, indicted on new charges
thehill.com/homenews/state-watch/4556137-ex-ohio-state-house-speaker-imprisoned-in-corruption-case-indicted-on-new-charges/
Why is Congress slashing funding for antitrust enforcement that protects consumers?
thehill.com/opinion/white-house/4554910-why-is-congress-slashing-funding-for-antitrust-enforcement-that-protects-consumers/
L.A. considers reparations for families forced off Dodger Stadium land: A new bill seeking reparations for families forced out of their homes in Los Angeles' ...
nbcnews.com/news/latino/dodgers-stadium-reparations-families-land-california-angeles-rcna145152
Florida latest to restrict social media for kids as legal battle looms: Republican Gov. Ron DeSantis signed strong restrictions, mirroring a national push to ...
washingtonpost.com/politics/2024/03/25/ron-desantis-florida-social-media-ban-children/
Bernie Sanders, AOC Among Lawmakers Who Opposed $1.2 Trillion Spending Bill over Defunding of UNRWA
democracynow.org/2024/3/25/headlines/bernie_sanders_aoc_among_lawmakers_who_opposed_12_trillion_spending_bill_over_defunding_of_unrwa
Biden's border "nuclear option" is still on the table: "The bullet's in the chamber."
axios.com/2024/03/24/biden-border-executive-action-immigration-2024-election
Amid book bans, DEI cuts and 'Don't Say Gay' laws, 7 states will mandate LGBTQ-inclusive curricula
nbcnews.com/nbc-out/out-news/washington-lgbtq-history-schools-governor-law-rcna144991
The confused place where Seymour and Ardern converge: Comment: Treating te Tiriti as between individual Māori and Pākehā seeks to absolve the Crown of its duty ...
newsroom.co.nz/2024/03/22/holly-bennett-the-confused-place-where-seymour-and-ardern-converge/
Senate passes $1.2 trillion funding package, ending threat of partial shutdown: The Senate has passed a $1.2 trillion package of spending bills that pushes any ...
apnews.com/article/congress-shutdown-budget-speaker-johnson-85dc1e93f6c49c154c02a166d0e8e784
Quick Glance: Biden Signs $1.2 Trillion Funding Legislation
- The Senate approved the bill after facing hours of deadlock on funding for most of the government for the upcoming six months.
- President Joe Biden officially endorsed a $1.2 trillion spending package following the United States Congress's recent passage of the overdue legislation, thus eliminating the risk of a partial government shutdown.
- As per reports from the White House, Biden finalized the legislation at his residence in Wilmington, Delaware. The Senate, under Democratic leadership, voted 74-24 shortly after the funding lapsed for three-quarters of the government at midnight.
The decline of Republicans’ governing wing, by the numbers: The hasty exit of Rep. Mike Gallagher (R-Wis.), chairman of the House select China committee ...
washingtonpost.com/politics/2024/03/25/gallagher-house-gop-decline/
Military draft bill creates rift in Israeli government: A member of Israel's war cabinet said on Sunday he would quit the national emergency government should ...
reuters.com/world/middle-east/military-draft-bill-creates-rift-israeli-government-2024-03-24/
Biden, Obama tout ACA ahead of fundraiser next week: Biden, Obama and Pelosi marked the 14th anniversary of the Affordable Care Act with a campaign message.
washingtonpost.com/politics/2024/03/23/biden-obama-aca-campaign/
Bill Seeks Reparations for Families Displaced From Site of Dodger Stadium: About 1,800 families were forced to leave the land, now known as Chavez Ravine ...
nytimes.com/2024/03/26/us/chavez-ravine-reparations-dodger-stadium.html
Texas Republican on why he opposed funding bill: ‘I wanted some sense of sanity on spending’
trib.al/7ruLfeX
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