More from Zachary Hill
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‘You’re not the media’: Axios CEO spars with Elon Musk over journalism on X
There is an “information war” taking place, according to Axios CEO Jim VandeHei. VandeHei made the declaration after giving an acceptance speech for winning a journalism award, where he also called out Elon Musk, the owner of X, who advocates for citizen journalism over traditional news outlets. In his speech, VandeHei referenced Musk’s posts on… -
Special counsel moves to drop federal charges against Trump in two cases
On Monday, Nov. 25, special counsel Jack Smith moved to drop charges against President-elect Donald Trump in two federal cases. The first case involves Trump’s alleged mishandling of classified documents at his Florida home after he left the White House. The second case concerns accusations of an election subversion plot to overturn the 2020 election… -
Newsom says California will intervene if Trump ends federal EV incentives
California Democratic Gov. Gavin Newsom is preparing for a potential clash with President-elect Donald Trump over electric vehicle (EV) incentives. Trump has signaled plans to roll back federal tax credits for EVs, a measure established under the Biden administration’s Inflation Reduction Act. In response, Newsom has pledged to sustain the $7,500 EV incentive in California… -
World’s thinnest pasta may be next step in nanofibers for medicine
The newest pasta on Earth is also the world’s thinnest spaghetti. It was recently created, not in a Michelin-star restaurant in Paris, but by a research team in England. The spaghetti, measuring just 372 nanometers across and about 200 times thinner than a human hair, was not made to be the next diet fad. In a… -
Amazon workers in 20 countries plan Black Friday, Cyber Monday strike
Thousands of Amazon workers from around the world are planning to strike again on one of the biggest shopping weekends of the year. This is the fifth holiday season in a row for Make Amazon Pay protests, when warehouse staff and delivery drivers strike in support of workers’ rights and climate action from Black Friday… -
Texas approves Bible-based lessons in public schools, set to begin next fall
The Texas Education Board voted Friday, Nov. 22, to approve the inclusion of Bible-based lessons in public elementary schools, aligning with similar efforts in other Republican-led states to introduce more religious content into public education. The curriculum, which is optional for schools to adopt, includes a financial incentive, $60 per student, for schools that choose… -
Jonathan Majors’ ex-girlfriend drops assault and defamation lawsuit
People Magazine is reporting that actor Jonathan Majors’ ex-girlfriend has dropped her lawsuit against him, according to court documents released Thursday, Nov. 21. Grace Jabbari, a British dancer, first filed the civil suit in March 2024, accusing Majors of assault and defamation. The allegations stemmed from incidents during the couple’s nearly two-year relationship. Jabbari and… -
Bears break into Alaska military base, steal soldiers’ rations
Service members in our nation’s armed forces might make fun of their emergency and on-the-go rations, but it looks like bears don’t have the same qualms. Military officials said a group of bears broke in and stole soldiers’ rations. The U.S. military stockpiles “meals ready to eat” – better known as MREs. They’re full meals… -
Bahamas frees up over $120M to combat climate change in ‘nature-for-debt’ swap
The Bahamas announced on Friday, Nov. 22, it is freeing up funds to combat climate change through a debt swap financed by Standard Charter and backed by private investors. The “nature-for-debt” swap involves buying back existing debt through a new loan with reduced interest rates. It’s expected to unlock around $124 million for marine conservation… -
PA election official apologizes for remarks on ignoring election laws
A Pennsylvania election official is facing backlash after comments she made about disregarding court rulings to count ballots that had been deemed invalid by the courts. Bucks County Commissioner Diane Ellis-Marseglia apologized Wednesday, Nov. 20, for saying, “precedent by a court doesn’t matter anymore in this country.” “The passion in my heart got the best… -
Migrants in New York City to bypass in-person ICE check-ins: Report
Migrants in New York City will soon be able to bypass in-person check-ins at their local Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) office, Homeland Security sources reportedly told the New York Post. Currently, asylum-seekers awaiting a court hearing must regularly report in person at their local ICE office. The database for the current system flags arrest… -
The US backs away from plastic production limits in UN treaty: Report
The Biden administration is reportedly removing its support for a cap on plastic production. Governments from around the world are set to come together in Busan, South Korea on Monday, Nov. 25, for the fifth and final round of negotiations for a United Nations global treaty to end plastic pollution. Grist reports that White House staffers… -
Australian Parliament considers law banning kids under 16 from social media
Australia’s communications minister has officially introduced a law that would ban children under 16 from social media. If passed, the law would be the first of its kind in the world. Popular sites like TikTok, Facebook, Snapchat, Instagram and X could all face fines of up to AU$50 million ($33 million) for failing to prevent…