Extra, Extra
Meanwhile, Back at the Blanche: “Senator Bill Cassidy, Republican of Louisiana, said on Friday that he would support Todd Blanche’s nomination as attorney general, effectively saving the confirmation of President Trump’s pick after two other Republican senators said they would oppose him.” Surprise, surprise…
+ E-War: “They used to call this kind of thing a war crime. But somewhat suddenly, it has become a nearly universal feature of 21st-century conflict.” Until recently, attacking civilian energy infrastructure was unacceptable. The dynamics of modern war have changed that.
+ Tourist Trap: “On Thursday, the president signed two executive orders, this time taking a more narrow focus on so-called ‘birth tourism.'” (If he keeps flouting the courts and the constitution, we may not have any tourism at all.) Trump signs new orders targeting birthright citizenship, weeks after SCOTUS ruling.
+ Total Burn: “Five months into its unprecedented dismantling of foreign-aid programs, the Trump administration has given the order to incinerate food instead of sending it to people abroad who need it.” (The metaphor just writes, and then burns, itself.) The Trump Administration Is About to Incinerate 500 Tons of Emergency Food.
+ Cam Slam: “Officers for Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) will be equipped with much-delayed body cameras by the end of next month, it was reported on Friday. But experts have questioned the transparency of a policy that allows the ICE director to restrict the public release of footage unless ‘it is in the best interests of the agency.'”
+ Betting Your Life: “Billions of dollars are traded every week on the lightly regulated prediction market sites, where users bet on everything from movie reviews to elections to conflicts in the Middle East. Clinical trials are just the latest area where the industry’s rapid growth is raising ethical questions.” Kalshi and Polymarket bets on clinical trials criticized as ghastly. (They’re also a sign that the prediction players are looking to challenge the stock market, where people essentially place bets on clinical trials every day.)
+ Shit Happens: “Zendaya’s angelic strapless gown with feathered white wings was the work of Matières Fécales — yes, in English, Fecal Matter — the Paris-based, high-end fashion house founded in Montreal over a decade ago that’s, seemingly suddenly, everywhere.” Talk about the perfect attire for the moment. Why celebrities from Zendaya to Kylie Jenner are wearing Fecal Matter.
