News

A CBS News investigation found dozens of law enforcement leaders — sheriffs, captains, lieutenants, chiefs of police — buying and illegally selling firearms, even weapons of war, across 23 U.S. states, Puerto Rico and Washington, D.C., from the Deep South to the Midwest, Northeast and California coast.

CHICAGO – In an unprecedented move, Anthem Blue Cross Blue Shield plans representing Connecticut, New York and Missouri have unilaterally declared it will no longer pay for anesthesia care if the surgery or procedure goes beyond an arbitrary time limit, regardless of how long the surgical procedure takes. The American Society of Anesthesiologists calls on Anthem to reverse this proposal immediately.

The District of Columbia sued Amazon on Wednesday, alleging the company secretly stopped providing its fastest delivery service to residents of two predominantly Black neighborhoods while still charging millions of dollars for a membership that promises the benefit. 

The complaint filed in District of Columbia Superior Court revolves around Amazon’s Prime membership, which costs consumers $139 per year or $14.99 per month for fast deliveries — including one-day, two-day and same-day shipments — along with other enhancements. 

In mid-2022, the lawsuit alleges, the Seattle-based online retailer imposed what it called a delivery “exclusion” on two low-income ZIP codes in the district — 20019 and 20020 — and began relying exclusively on third-party delivery services such as UPS and the U.S. Postal Service, rather than its own delivery systems.

Summary

Childhood lead exposure from leaded gasoline caused 151 million additional psychiatric illnesses in the U.S. between 1940 and 2015, according to new research.

Peak exposure occurred for Generation X (1966–1986 births) due to widespread use of leaded gasoline before its 1996 ban.

The study links lead exposure to higher rates of depression, anxiety, ADHD, and altered personality traits, including increased neuroticism and reduced conscientiousness.

Lead pollution also caused a collective loss of 824 million IQ points in Americans.

Summary

China’s share of the global electric vehicle (EV) market surged to 76% in October, driven by domestic demand despite escalating western tariffs.

Between January and October, China accounted for 69% of global EV sales, with subsidies boosting local purchases.

The US and EU have imposed steep tariffs—up to 100% and 35%, respectively—on Chinese EV imports, complicating market access for Chinese automakers. Exports to Russia, however, have soared by 109% over two years.

Beijing has prioritized the EV sector as a cornerstone of its economic and green transition strategy.

At least 20 Palestinians were killed when Israeli airstrikes hit the Al-Mawasi ‘safe zone’ area west of Khan Yunis city in south Gaza on 4 December.

The Palestinian Red Crescent (PRCS) reported that Israeli aircraft targeted the tents of displaced Palestinians and food storage facilities. “The occupation knows very well that there are only civilians in the Mawasi area,” Civil Defense spokesman Mahmoud Basal told Al Jazeera.

Summary

Trump announced plans to block Nippon Steel’s $14.9 billion acquisition of U.S. Steel, drawing backlash from many steelworkers who previously supported him.

While some, including United Steelworkers president David McCall, oppose the deal over concerns about job security and unfulfilled promises, others fear blocking it could harm the struggling U.S. steel industry.

Trump’s stance has been criticized as a “gut punch” by union leaders like Jason Zugai, who had expected him to support the deal after the election.

Critics argue Trump has offered no alternative plan to invest in U.S. steel plants if the deal is blocked.

cross-posted from: https://lemmy.ml/post/23220340

Hanno Hauenstein
December 3 2024, 6:00 a.m.

“He believes in the promise of robust, innovative capital markets that are responsive to the needs of Investors, & that provide capital to make our Economy the best in the World. He also recognizes that digital assets & other innovations are crucial to Making America Greater than Ever Before,” Trump wrote on Truth Social.

Summary

The Supreme Court appeared likely to uphold Tennessee's 2023 ban on gender-affirming care for minors, citing concerns about evolving medical research and deferring to state lawmakers.

The Biden administration and families argue the law discriminates based on sex and transgender status, violating the Equal Protection Clause. Conservative justices, however, questioned federal intervention in state policies.

The case focuses on whether Tennessee’s law should face heightened judicial scrutiny. A ruling could affect similar bans in 24 states.

A decision, expected by June, will shape the legal landscape for transgender rights and medical care nationwide.

President-elect Donald Trump’s transition team on Tuesday signed an agreement to allow the Justice Department to conduct background checks on his nominees and appointees after a weeks-long delay.

The step lets Trump transition aides and future administration staffers obtain security clearances before Inauguration Day to access classified information about ongoing government programs, an essential step for a smooth transiton of power. It also allows those nominees who are up for Senate confirmation to face the background checks lawmakers want before voting on them.

Teams of investigators have been standing by to process clearances for Trump aides and advisers.

Players must be assigned female at birth or have transitioned to female before going through male puberty to compete in LPGA tournaments or the eight USGA championships for females under new gender policies published Wednesday.

The policies, which begin in 2025, follow more than a year of study involving medicine, science, sport physiology and gender policy law.

The updated policies would rule out eligibility for Hailey Davidson, who missed qualifying for the U.S. Women’s Open this year by one shot and came up short in LPGA Q-school.

Davidson, who turned 32 on Tuesday, began hormone treatments when she was in her early 20s in 2015 and in 2021 underwent gender-affirming surgery, which was required under the LPGA’s previous gender policy. She had won this year on a Florida mini-tour called NXXT Golf until the circuit announced in March that players had to be assigned female at birth.

Summary

Ekaterina Zhdanova, a Russian socialite turned entrepreneur, is accused of leading a massive money-laundering network, the Smart Group, which allegedly swaps Russian cryptocurrency for cash to help oligarchs, ransomware gangs, and criminals evade sanctions.

Operation Destabilise, involving U.S., UK, and European authorities, also targeted TGR Group, run by George Rossi, which integrates laundered funds into legitimate financial systems.

Both networks allegedly moved billions annually.

Investigators uncovered sophisticated methods, such as crypto layering and cash-for-crypto swaps linked to organized crime, Russian elites, and state entities like RT.

Authorities arrested 84 people, seized millions, and imposed sanctions, but some network components may remain active.

Summary

Donald Trump is considering Florida Governor Ron DeSantis as a replacement for embattled Defense Secretary pick Pete Hegseth.

Hegseth faces wavering GOP Senate support due to past allegations of misconduct, including a 2017 sexual assault claim, which he denies.

DeSantis, a Navy veteran and former Trump rival in the 2024 presidential race, has reportedly spoken directly with Trump about the role.

Other contenders include Senators Joni Ernst and Bill Hagerty, along with Rep. Mike Waltz.

Summary

The Satanic Temple will launch a religious program, HAIL (Hellion Academy of Independent Learning), at Edgewood Elementary in Marysville, Ohio, offering an alternative to the evangelical LifeWise program.

LifeWise, part of a growing "release time" religious instruction trend, removes students weekly for Christian teachings.

Critics argue it alienates non-Christian students and raises concerns about religious pluralism in schools.

The Satanic Temple's HAIL program emphasizes empathy, pluralism, and critical thinking in its program, removing students monthly.