President Joe Biden announced new measures to support Ukraine. A Russian journalist was killed in Kyiv. And new concerns were revealed about the Environmental Protection Agency’s ability to regulate flea and tick collars.
đź‘‹ It’s Laura and Nicolebringing you all the news you need to know Thursday!
But first, two queens stand before me. đź‘‘ Queen Elizabeth II, the most photographed and painted woman in the world, is now a British Vogue cover star for the first time – and there’s also a twin cover with Anya Taylor-Joy.
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Biden meets with NATO allies in Brussels
The US will accept 100,000 Ukrainian refugees and others fleeing Russia’s invasion and provide more than $1 billion in new humanitarian assistance, the White House said Thursday. The funding will pay for food, shelter, clean water, medical supplies and other forms of assistance. Also on Thursday, Biden said Russia should be kicked out of the Group of 20 nations in retaliation for its invasion of Ukraine, a major step that would further isolate the Kremlin and restrict Russia’s say in the global economy. Russia’s membership in the group, which represents the world’s major economies, was discussed during an emergency meeting with key US allies, Biden said, from the NATO headquarters in Brussels. I have noted that the decision on whether to boot Russia from the group is up to other G-20 members.
👉 More news: Thursday’s latest updates.
At least four journalists killed by Russian attacks
Russian journalist Oksana Baulina was killed while filming in Ukraine’s capital, Kyiv. She is at least the fourth journalist to die in the ongoing conflict in Ukraine since Russia’s invasion one month ago. Baulina, 42, was working as a correspondent for The Insider when Russian troops shelled a shopping center in the city’s Podil district, the site said in a statement Wednesday. Another civilian was killed and two others were wounded and hospitalized. Colleagues shared on social media their reactions to the news of Baulina’s death of her, remembering her as “dedicated and extremely brave.” Baulina was a producer for the Anti-Corruption Foundation and was forced to flee Russia when the organization was deemed an extremist group. She continued reporting on corruption inside Russia after leaving the country.
What everyone’s talking about
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Will Jackson be confirmed?
After four days of Senate hearings to consider Judge Ketanji Brown Jackson’s nomination to the Supreme Court, even some of her Republican critics acknowledged that she’s cruising to confirmation as the first Black woman to sit on the high court in the nation’s history. As she peppered Jackson with questions on abortion, Sen. Marsha Blackburn, R-Tenn., noted the judge might not have an impact on the issue – not because she wouldn’t get the job but because the court is set to weigh in before Jackson would be seated. “That is an issue that will be decided before you go to court,” Blackburn said. Jackson, who serves on the US Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit, cast herself as an independent jurist who remains committed to the constitutional ” constraints” on her authority and who would work to restore public trust in the high court. Democrats, who narrowly control the Senate, are likely to back Jackson, and they could rely on Vice President Kamala Harris to cast a tie-breaking vote on her historic nomination if she receives no GOP support. key takeaways from Jackson’s Supreme Court confirmation hearings.
Get that passport application in if you plan to travel
If you’re planning on seeing the world any time soon, better get a move on that passport situation. With the summer travel season right around the corner, the State Department says routine passport processing times are estimated to be eight to 11 weeks – still above the pre-pandemic average of six to eight weeks but much better than the 18-week wait travelers faced lastsummer. The State Department encourages US citizens to apply for a passport “well in advance” of any expected travel, and suggests applying for or renewing a passport at least six months ahead of planned travel to avoid any problems. More questions? Here, have some answers. 🏝
real quick
Can the EPA determine danger of flea and tick products it regulates?
Officials at the EPA have raised concerns for years that the agency’s method of evaluating the danger of pet flea and tick products is flawed and led to the use of potentially harmful pesticides. New EPA documents released via Freedom of Information request show that staff have been especially concerned about Seresto, the popular flea and tick collar. As of March 2021, more than 75,000 reports to the EPA alerted of dangerous incidents involving the protective collar. Pet owners and veterinarians said dogs and cats were having skin rashes, seizures and dying after wearing the neck gear. The EPA has said it lacks data to properly evaluate whether the collar is dangerous and has requested and received more information from the collar’s manufacturers to further look into the risk. Seresto’s manufacturer maintains the collar is safe.
A break from the news
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George is Digismak’s reported cum editor with 13 years of experience in Journalism