September 22, 2021 Briefing
Politics:
“Republican governors from 26 states have sent a letter to President Joe Biden asking for a meeting to discuss the ongoing situation at the U.S.-Mexico border, which they deemed a ‘national security crisis’ as migrants—many from Haiti—have flooded an area near Del Rio, Texas.”
“The Justice Department asked a federal judge in Texas to temporarily block enforcement of the state's new law that bans abortions after about six weeks.”
The Pentagon acknowledged that a U.S. drone strike in Afghanistan on Aug. 29 was a tragic mistake that killed 10 civilians, a military official said. - New York Times
“The explosives the military claimed were loaded in the trunk of a white Toyota sedan struck by the drone’s Hellfire missile were most likely water bottles, and a secondary explosion in the courtyard in a densely populated Kabul neighborhood where that attack took place was probably a propane or gas tank, the official said.
In short, the car posed no threat at all, investigators concluded.”
“President Biden used the word "unity" eight times in his inauguration speech, but voters say the country is heading in the opposite direction on his watch. By a 54-37 percent margin, they think the country is less united under Biden rather than more so.”
“Amid a crushing wave of migrants rushing the United States' southern border, overwhelmed U.S. immigration agencies are releasing "numerous" migrants not just in southern cities, but deep into the interior of the country in a revolving-door system some are concerned is giving aliens a free pass into the U.S.”
Trump Campaign Knew Lawyers’ Voting Machine Claims Were Baseless, Memo Shows - The New York Times
“Days before lawyers allied with Donald Trump gave a news conference promoting election conspiracy theories, his campaign had determined that many of those claims were false, court filings reveal.”
Culture:
“Late last year, Israeli intelligence agents killed Iran's top nuclear scientist from 1,000 miles away using a high-powered, remote-controlled sniper machine gun, the New York Times reported over the weekend.”
A Texas doctor who admitted to violating the state’s abortion law appears to be the first to be sued, by a man in Arkansas and another in Illinois. - New York Times
“The law bars enforcement by state officials, a novel maneuver aimed at circumventing judicial review, and instead relies on citizens to file legal claims against abortion providers or anyone suspected of ‘aiding or abetting’ an abortion.”
North Korea fires 2 ballistic missiles; Japan's Suga rips test as 'absolutely outrageous' - Fox News
“North Korea reportedly fired two ballistic missiles into waters off its east coast Wednesday, in the direction of Japan, prompting Japan's prime minister to denounce the action as ‘absolutely outrageous,’ according to reports.”
“‘It has come to my attention that your educators are distributing essentially what is child pornography in the classroom,’ Shubert said during Monday night's meeting. ‘I've spoken to a judge this evening. She's already confirmed that. So I'm going to give you a simple choice: Either you choose to resign from this board of education, or you will be charged. Thank you.’”
“‘@Shift4Payments celebrates the first all-civilian mission to space #Inspiration4,’ the NYSE tweeted this afternoon.”
Federal Judge Sides With DeSantis on Mask Mandate Ban - The Epoch Times
“On Sept. 15, a Miami federal judge handed Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis a victory when he ruled against the parents of students with disabilities in a lawsuit over public school mask mandates.”
Facebook Boots Anti-Vaccine Group Under New ‘Social Harm’ Rules - The Daily Beast
“In a move that will crack down on some of the most extreme and well-organized extremist groups, Facebook’s security team said Thursday that it will more aggressively go after groups that engage in “Coordinated Social Harm”—a term aimed at online clubs that are evading the company’s existing rules while engaged in threatening offline behavior.”
Chinese Regime’s Forced Organ Harvesting Could Spread to Other Countries, NGO Director Warns - The Epoch Times
“Trey, founder and executive director of Doctors Against Forced Organ Harvesting (DAFOH), sounded the warning during a recent interview with EpochTV’s “Crossroads” program. For decades, the Chinese regime has persecuted prisoners of conscience in order to drive its industrial-scale operations to supply harvested organs to the transplant market, he said.”
Health:
Los Angeles County to Mandate COVID-19 Vaccine Passports: Officials - The Epoch Times
“Los Angeles County, the most populous county in the United States, announced on Sept. 15 it would require proof of COVID-19 vaccination at bars, nightclubs, breweries, lounges, and related businesses.”
Pfizer says its COVID-19 vaccine works for kids ages 5 to 11 - Fox Business
“Pfizer said Monday its COVID-19 vaccine works for children ages 5 to 11 and that it will seek U.S. authorization for this age group soon.”
The Biden administration will lift restrictions on fully vaccinated international travelers beginning in November. - The New York Times
“The announcement ends travel limits implemented to control the spread of the coronavirus, and reopens the U.S. to relatives who have been separated from families and employees from businesses.”
Sports:
Simone Biles told senators that the system “enabled and perpetrated” Larry Nassar’s abuse in emotional testimony on the F.B.I.’s handling of the case. - The New York Times
“Biles and three of her former teammates on the United States national gymnastics team, including Aly Raisman and McKayla Maroney, are testifying about the F.B.I.’s mishandling of one of the biggest sexual abuse cases in U.S. history.
Biles and hundreds of other girls and women were molested by Nassar, the former national team doctor. He is now serving what amounts to life in prison for multiple sex crimes.”
“Redick, the former No. 11 pick of the 2006 Draft, played for six teams in his NBA career and spent last season with the New Orleans Pelicans and Dallas Mavericks. He averaged 12.8 points in 940 regular-season games, and his 1,950 career makes from 3-point range rank him 15th in NBA history in that category.”
Some Good News:
Premature Baby Born So Small She Was Kept Alive in a Sandwich Bag Has Defied the Odds to Start School - Good News Network
“A premature baby born the size of a bag of sugar and kept alive in a sandwich bag has defied the odds to start elementary school.
Darcey Clegg, who is now four years old, weighed just 1lb 5oz when she was born in September 2016 via an emergency c-section—three months early.”
What’s Trending:
“Autopsy results have confirmed that the remains found Sunday in the Bridger-Teton National Forest are those of Gabby Petito, a 22-year-old woman who disappeared while on a trip exploring national parks with her fiancé, Brian Laundrie, according to the FBI in Denver.”
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