More from Jake Maslo
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Philip Morris pauses online Zyn sales amid legal challenge
Philip Morris International temporarily stopped online sales of Zyn nicotine pouches in the U.S. on Monday, June 17, in response to a legal challenge from the attorney general for the District of Columbia. The halt is part of an investigation into the company’s possible violation of the district’s ban on flavored tobacco products. “Zyn is… -
BBC investigation ties Greek coast guard to dozens of migrant deaths at sea
A new BBC report and documentary leveled allegations against Greek authorities in the Mediterranean. The report, released on Monday, June 17, documented allegations ranging from masked men abducting and throwing migrants into the sea, to Greek authorities forcing asylum-seekers and their children into open waters on ill-fated rafts, according to first-hand witness accounts. In total,… -
Former CDC director warns bird flu pandemic is coming
Health officials and farm workers are grappling with the challenges posed by strains of bird flu. Across the U.S., 48 states have reported outbreaks among poultry and 12 have now seen the disease in dairy cattle. Former Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) Director Dr. Robert Redfield warned that it is not a matter… -
LA school district joins growing number of schools considering cellphone bans
Los Angeles Unified School District (LAUSD) leaders whose students are being distracted by their phones and social media during class time are looking to join a growing number of school districts that are banning cellphones and social media during instruction time. Leaders will vote on the resolution on Tuesday, June 17. Those who support the… -
FAA probe launched into titanium used in some Boeing and Airbus jets
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) opened a probe into Boeing and Airbus, two of the largest commercial plane manufacturers, to determine how counterfeit titanium got into their supply chains. On Friday, June 14, The New York Times reported that Spirit Aerosystems, which provides fuselages to Boeing and wings to Airbus, used titanium with falsified documentation.… -
Supreme Court strikes down Trump-era bump stock ban in blow to ATF
The U.S. Supreme Court on Friday, June 14, struck down a Trump-era ban on bump stocks — attachments that rapidly increase the firing rate of a semi-automatic firearm. In a 6-3 ruling, the court found the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) overstepped its authority with the ban in 2018. The federal rule… -
NY Gov. Kathy Hochul considers face mask ban to combat antisemitic crime
New York lawmakers are debating if protesters should be allowed to wear face masks. Gov. Kathy Hochul, D-N.Y., is considering a face mask ban on subways over concerns that people are concealing their identities to get away with antisemitic hate crimes. “We will not tolerate individuals using masks to evade responsible for criminal or threatening… -
Survey: Texas promised armed guards at every school, most don’t have them
In 2022, a mass shooting at Robb Elementary School in Uvalde, Texas, killed 19 kids and two teachers. State lawmakers said they were committed to never letting it happen again. Last year, the Texas Legislature passed a law that in part required an armed officer at every public school in the state. On Thursday, June… -
Denmark officials warn ‘fire noodles’ too spicy for consumption
In the U.S., consumers can find an array of eye-watering spicy foods, including popular Korean ramen brand Samyang. However, these fiery instant noodles have not been well received by health officials abroad. On June 11, Denmark issued a recall for these products due to extremely high spice levels, which the government says could lead to… -
AI-assisted mayoral candidate in Wyoming sparks legal questions
An AI-assisted mayoral candidate in Wyoming is prompting state and local election officials to grapple with the legality of the AI-powered politician’s run for mayor of Cheyenne. One state official, Wyoming Secretary of State Chuck Gray, R, urged the city clerk on Monday, June 10, to reject the application for mayor. “Wyoming does not permit… -
Five convicted of stealing more than $40 million in COVID-19 funds
A jury convicted five Minnesotans of stealing more than $40 million in COVID-19 pandemic funds under the guise that they were feeding kids in need. Seven defendants stood trial. However, two were acquitted on Friday, June 7. “The defendants took advantage of the COVID-19 pandemic to defraud the state of Minnesota and to steal tens… -
Government can’t ban books even if they include ‘butts and farts,’ court says
A federal appeals court ordered eight of 17 books removed from a Texas library be returned to the shelves within 24 hours on Thursday, June 6. The court said books cannot be restricted based on whether someone dislikes the content, even if it does include “butts and farts.” The ruling comes after parents in Llano… -
Brooklyn Museum director, board targeted in antisemitic vandalism attack
Anti-Israel protesters hung antisemitic banners and vandalized the Brooklyn Museum’s Jewish director and board members’ homes the morning of Wednesday, June 12. The attack is the latest in a string of vandalism incidents tied to war protests. Protesters also vandalized a Palestinian Mission to the United Nations. The group left leaflets on nearby streets that…