U.S. warns against travel to Japan ahead of Olympics amid surge in COVID-19 cases

The State Department and health officials are warning Americans against travel to Japan — which is preparing to host the Olympics in just two months — due to a of a surge in coronavirus cases in the country. The alerts don’t ban U.S. citizens from visiting the country, but they could have an impact on …

Two people dead, 12 injured in New Jersey home shooting

2 people were killed and 12 others injured in a shooting at a mansion’s house party with more than 100 people in New Jersey late on Saturday. No arrests have been made and the motive remains under investigation, the New York State Police said in a news release Sunday morning. The agency said personnel responded …

CDC to investigate cases of heart inflammation among young people who received Covid-19 vaccine

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has announced they are investigating reports of heart issues in young patients who have received a Covid-19 vaccine.  According to the CDC, there have been “relatively few” cases of young people developing heart symptoms following their inoculations, but the CDC is requesting that “information about this potential adverse event” be provided …

Israel and Hamas agree to cease-fire, ending their 11-day war

Israel and Hamas agreed to a cease-fire Thursday, putting a halt on their 11-day war that caused widespread destruction in the Gaza Strip and left more than 200 people dead. Just as the cease-fire took effect at 2 a.m. local time, life returned to the streets of Gaza with people leaving their homes and celebrating …

Israel, Hamas agree to cease-fire to end 11-day war

Israel and Hamas agreed to a cease-fire Thursday, halting a bruising 11-day war that caused widespread destruction in the Gaza Strip, brought life in much of Israel to a standstill and left more than 200 people dead. At 2 a.m. local time, just as the cease-fire took effect, frenzy life returned to the streets of …

House approves $1.9B U.S. Capitol security bill with a 213-212 vote

The House on Thursday narrowly approved a $1.9 billion security upgrade for the U.S. Capitol in response to the Jan. 6 attack. The chamber voted 213-212 in favor of the spending bill. Reps. Cori Bush, D-Mo., Ilhan Omar, D-Minn., and Ayanna Pressley, D-Mass., voted against the measure, while Reps. Jamaal Bowman, D-N.Y., Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, D-N.Y., …

Texas governor Abbott signs law outlawing abortion after 6 weeks

On Wednesday, Texas Governor Greg Abbott signed into a law a bill outlawing abortion as early as six weeks into pregnancy. However, unlike the other so-called “heartbeat” bills, Texas’ bill has a provision that would allow private citizens to file civil lawsuits against doctors, staff, or even a patient’s family or friends who “aid and …

President Biden says he expects quick de-escalation of attacks in Gaza, as Israel Prime Minister Netanyahu says he’s ‘determined’ to continue the strikes

President Biden spoke with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu by phone on Wednesday and said he expects a quick de-escalation of military attacks against Palestinian targets in Gaza to make way for a cease-fire. In response to Wednesday’s call, Netanyahu said he’s “determined to continue” the strikes until their “objective is achieved — to bring …

House Minority leader Kevin McCarthy won’t back bipartisan deal to form January 6 commission

On Tuesday, House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy announced his opposition to legislation that would establish a bipartisan commission to investigate the January 6 attack on the U.S. Capitol. Democratic Congressman Bennie Thompson and Republican Congressman John Katko, respectively the chair and ranking member of the House Homeland Security Committee, reached a deal late last week on …

District Attorney says North Carolina sheriff’s deputies were ‘justified’ in fatal shooting Andrew Brown Jr.

Prosecutors said Tuesday that North Carolina sheriff’s deputies were justified in fatally shooting 42-year-old Andrew Brown Jr., a black man, during an attempted arrest last month, and added that no charges will be filed against law enforcement. Brown Jr. was shot while behind the wheel of his car on April 21 in Elizabeth City as Pasquotank County …