Tuesday, June 8th, 2021
Ransom Recovered, Biden Team Defends Trump & Alzheimer’s Breakthrough?
All the news in about 10 min:
This episode is brought to you by Framebridge.com (Listen for the discount code) and BetterHelp.com/newsworthy
Story Summaries
All the news stories mentioned in today's episode are listed with links below, so you can spend as much -- or as little -- time as you want to read the latest happenings...
Pipeline Cyberattack Ransom Recovered
U.S. officials say they recovered most of the ransom paid to hackers after the Colonial Pipeline ransomware attack. This was thanks to the government’s new Ransomware and Digital Extortion Task Force. The task force was able to hack into the cybercriminal’s bitcoin wallet to get the money back. The attackers are thought to be from a Russia-based criminal group called Darkside. The FBI has been investigating the group since last year. Authorities are encouraging companies to invest in cybersecurity now to avoid becoming the next victim.
Read More: CNN, WSJ, Reuters, NPR, DOJ
DOJ to Defend Trump
The Justice Department has decided to defend former President Trump in a defamation lawsuit. Columnist E. Jean Carroll says the former president raped her in a department store dressing room in the ‘90s. A couple of years ago, Trump called her a liar and said he had never met her before. Carroll says that isn’t true and she is suing him for defamation. The DOJ under Trump took over the case. Now, Biden’s DOJ agrees with Trump, saying public officials can, and often must, address allegations that could lead people to doubt whether they’re fit for office.
Read More: NY Times, AP, Politico
New Human Trafficking Task Force
The U.S. has a new task force focused on smuggling and human trafficking. Federal prosecutors will be working with the Department of Homeland Security to take down criminal networks out of Latin America. They’ll also train law enforcement there to conduct their investigations. This comes during a huge surge of migrants arriving at the U.S. southern border. Since October, border patrol agents have stopped nearly 900,000 migrants. That is almost double what the U.S. typically records in a full year.
Read More: The Hill, Axios, DOJ
Harris Guatemala Announcements
During Vice President Kamala Harris’s trip to Guatemala, she announced a few more initiatives. She says the White House is investing in affordable housing, agriculture businesses, and entrepreneurs in the country. Those investments will end up costing $48 million over the next four years. The Vice President also told people in Guatemala not to think about making the dangerous trek north, saying “if you come to our border, you will be turned back.”
Read More: Politico, AP, NBC News, Fox News, Axios
Federal Officers Body Cams Mandated
The Justice Department is now requiring federal agents to wear body cameras during pre-planned arrests or searches. This is a big reversal of a longstanding policy. In the past, officials have said agents shouldn’t use cams because their work often involves confidential sources and devices could jeopardize sensitive investigations. Now, all federal law enforcement agencies have to draft up new policies that lay out when agents must use them, as well as how the footage should be stored and when it can be released.
Read More: LA Times, WSJ, Politico, DOJ
Heat Wave Affects Millions
Millions of Americans are in the middle of a dangerous heat wave that stretches from the northern plains to New England and down to parts of Texas. Six states set record high temperatures in the 90s yesterday and today is expected to be another scorcher. Due to the heat, at least 15 schools in Minneapolis, Minnesota moved to virtual learning, and some schools in Connecticut closed early. Cooling centers opened up in places like Wisconsin, Rhode Island, Massachusetts, and Washington D.C. The extreme heat is expected to last through at least tomorrow.
Read More: NBC News, CBS News, Weather Channel, NWS
Controversial Alzheimer’s Drug Approved
Federal drug regulators approved a new drug to treat Alzheimer’s. It’s a monthly treatment meant for patients with earlier stages of Alzheimer’s. It’s also the first approved drug meant to slow the disease’s progress and not just Dementia symptoms. It has caused controversy though because a federal advisory committee found there isn’t enough evidence to prove the drug works. Still, the FDA says it approved the drug because the potential benefits outweigh any risks. Now, the drugmaker has to perform another clinical trial. If the next one doesn’t prove the drug is effective against Alzheimer's, the FDA could take back its approval.
Read More: Axios, CNN, WSJ, NY Times, FDA
Apple WWDC Announcements
Apple showed off some new features at its Worldwide Developers Conference, including iOS 15, which will be available for all iPhones this fall. It will include some upgrades to the FaceTime app like the ability to schedule FaceTime calls, share your screen on calls, FaceTime with people with Android devices, and more. Airpods, Apple Maps, and the Apple Watch are all also getting upgrades in their technology. The WWDC continues all week.
Read More: CNBC, CNET, TechCrunch, Washington Post, Verge
Amazon Turns on “Sidewalk” Today
Amazon’s internet-sharing program called Amazon Sidewalk turns on today. It connects all devices like Echo speakers, Ring security cameras, and smart outdoor lights. Sidewalk will connect not only these devices in your home but also other devices that are within range of your WiFi signal. The idea is to keep all your smart devices working even if your internet goes down, but critics have expressed privacy concerns. Amazon says all data is encrypted and secure. Users will be automatically enrolled, but they have the option to opt out on their apps.
Read More: Vox, NY Times, CNET, USA Today, Amazon
Simone Biles Wins 7th National Title
Gymnast Simone Biles made history by winning her 7th national women’s all-around title this week. This ties her with the most titles won by any American. She won with a move that’s never been done before, simply called “the Biles.” It includes two flips and three twists. Later this month, Biles is expected to earn her place on the U.S. Olympic team. She then hopes to become the first woman to win back-to-back Olympic championships in more than 50 years. The Tokyo Games start in less than seven weeks.
Watch Her Routine: Octagon OAS
Read More: CBS News, WaPo, AP, USA Gymnastics
Trivia Tuesday
Q: What year was the first model of the iPhone released?
Play along on today’s Instagram Stories Quiz. We’ll also have the answer right here next week.
Last Week’s Trivia Tuesday Answers
Q1: On what date did The NewsWorthy publish its first episode?
A1: August 28th, 2017
Q2: Which letter represents the number 1,000 in Roman numerals?
A2: M
Read More: Britannica, Dictionary.Com