Weapons: The State Department has approved the sale of $20 billion in weapons to Israel. Included would be up to 50 F-15 fighter jets. The State Department notified Congress of its approval and it will be up to Congress to decide whether to actually send the weapons. Other items approved in the sale include mortar shells and air-to-air missiles.
Student loans: The Biden Administration is asking the Supreme Court to overturn a ruling by the 8th Circuit Court of Appeals that blocks its student loan repayment plan. About a year ago the conservative justices on the Supreme Court killed Biden’s plan to forgive student loan debt and the new case involves a new plan known as the SAVE Plan. The administration asked for emergency action by the Supreme Court saying that the lower court ruling creates confusion.
Russia: Ukraine says it has taken control of 74 settlements in Russia’s Kursk region as a result of sending its military forces over the border into Russia. Thousands of Ukrainian troops crossed the border over a week ago and the Ukrainians say they have captured more territory than the Russians took when they first invaded Ukraine. At the U.N., Russia said that countries that criticized Russia now need to criticize Ukraine. Â
Musk and Trump: The United Auto Workers Union has filed charges with the National Labor Relations Board against Donald Trump and Elon Musk. When Trump and Musk appeared together on Musk’s site X, formerly Twitter, they talked about how they support firing employees who threaten to strike. Federal law makes it illegal to fire employees who threaten to strike since the right to strike is protected under federal law.
Ernesto: Tropical Storm Ernesto moved past Puerto Rico on a path toward Bermuda and appeared to be growing in strength, resulting in a hurricane watch being issued by the National Hurricane Center in Miami. St. Thomas in the U.S. Virgin Islands was hit by heavy rain and sustained winds of 65 miles per hour. Waves of up to 20 feet were expected in the ocean waters.
Cancer: President Biden went to New Orleans to announce a $150 million push to reduce deaths from cancer. Biden visited with cancer researchers at Tulane University and announced that the $150 million would go to eight teams of researchers around the country who are trying to find better ways to surgically remove cancerous tumors from patients. The American Cancer Society estimates there will be 2 million new cases of cancer diagnosed in the U.S. this year.
