Category: What We’re Reading

Below is a selection of articles the Federal Relations team read this week.

Robert Fuller: The FBI’s Civil Rights Division will look into the death of Robert Fuller, a 24 year old black man who was found dead outside LA. Police ruled the death a suicide, however the Fuller family suspects foul play. More at BBC.

Outrage over Death of Spc. Vanessa Guillen: Public outrage has mounted after Vanessa Guillen, a US Army soldier stationed at Ft. Hood, was found dead after being reported missing for months. Her disappearance came after she filed sexual harassment allegations. A suspect in the case committed suicide during a police encounter. More at Washington Post.

USDA Leadership Changes: On Friday it was announced that Dr. Parag Chitnis will serve as Acting Director of the National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA). Press Release.

President in Florida: President Trump has arrived in Florida for a fundraiser and an anti-drug trafficking meeting, however many express concerns that cases are spiking in the state. More at USA Today.

Disney: America’s most recognizable theme park, Disney World, will reopen on July 11th in a phased approach. More at CNN.

Seoul Mayor Passes Away: Park Won-Soon, the Mayor of Seoul, South Korea, was found dead on a mountainside near his home. Police declined to give further details, but ruled out foul play. Media reports note that a sexual misconduct allegation had been filed against Park on Wednesday, however under Korean law investigations close if the accused dies. More at CNN.

Below is a selection of articles the Federal Relations team read this week.

Reopening DC: Washington, DC entered phase 2 of reopening on June 22nd, allowing limited indoor retail and dining. More at NBC Washington.

Boeing 737 MAX: International Regulators, including the EU, want significant design changes in order for the 737 MAX to fly again, after two deadly crashes and drawn-out scandal over design flaws. More at Seattle Times.

Seattle Police: Mayor Jenny Durkan announced a proposed $20 million budget cut to Seattle Police, as the agency reoccupied the East Precinct on Capitol Hill, which had been taken by protesters. Full story at Seattle Times.

CHOP: Several business owners in the Capitol Hill neighborhood of Seattle will sue the City, claiming harm caused by the Capitol Hill Occupied Protest (CHOP). More at King 5.

East Coast Quarantine: New York, New Jersey, and Connecticut will require visitors from 8 different states to quarantine for 14 days upon arrival, citing high COVID infection rates. More at CNN.

China and India Clash: Recent satellite photos indicate China has built structures in a disputed border area near the Himalayan Mountains, where Indian and Chinese troops fought earlier this month leaving at least 20 Indian soldiers dead. More at BBC.

Below is a selection of articles the Federal Relations team has read this week.

COVID-19: Cases continue to climb as states begin reopening, including a second highest daily spike in Florida. Worldwide, cases are on the rise in certain countries. Live updates at CNN.

George Floyd: Protests against police brutality were held in all 50 states and several other countries after the murder of George Floyd by four Minneapolis police officers. The officers were all arrested this week, however activists demand broader changes to American policing, especially as protest footage shows some police officers continuing to engage in overly-aggressive behavior. Live updates at New York Times.

Anti-Lynching Legislation: Senators Kamala Harris (D-CA) and Cory Booker (D-NJ) had harsh criticism for Senator Rand Paul (R-KY) over proposed GOP amendments to a bill which would make lynching a federal crime. Senator Paul wanted to narrow the definition of lynching, however the two Democrats accused him of tampering with a bill which could easily pass with bipartisan support. More at Politico.

The Future of BLM: Black Lives Matter co-founder Alicia Garza discusses the future of the movement in this Vice article.

This Huffington Post article describes how to be a good ally on social media.

Ebola: The Democratic Republic of the Congo Ministry of Health has reported another outbreak of Ebola in the city of Mbandaka. Health officials are utilizing containment strategies and a vaccine. More at The Independent.

Unemployment Rate: Data shows that overall, surprisingly, the US unemployment rate fell during May 2020. The US added 2.5 million jobs, many of which in the restaurant sector. However, the unemployment rate did rise for certain groups, including Black Americans. Details at New York Times.

Below is a selection of articles the Federal Relations team read this week.

COVID19: More states, including Washington, reopen, the CDC issues guidelines for workplaces, and the US death toll exceeds 100,000. Live updates at CNN.

George Floyd: After George Floyd was killed by a Minneapolis Police Officer, protests erupted, and the officer, Derek Chauvin, has been arrested for murder. More at Seattle Times.

Mystery Mummies on the Canary Islands: Historians discover more about the Guanches, who lived on the Canary Islands in 100AD. More at BBC.

WHO: On Friday the US announced it will terminate its relationship with the World Health Organization. More at Washington Post.

Hong Kong: This week Secretary of State Mike Pompeo declared to Congress that Hong Kong should not be considered autonomous from China, in response to a Chinese national security law which would restrict secessionist activities in Hong Kong. This comes as the US makes several policy changes towards China. More at Washington Post.

New York: Governor Cuomo announced that New York City, which was hit hard by the coronavirus, could begin reopening as soon as June 8th. More at New York Times.

Below is a selection of articles the Federal Relations team read this week.

COVID-19: The US Department of Health and Human Services invested $1 billion in an Oxford University COVID vaccine, to be mass-produced by AstraZeneca. More states relax restrictions as concerns over PPE and rising death tolls continue. Live updates at CNN.

Pakistan Airliner: A Pakistan International Airlines plane crashed into a residential area in Karachi on Friday killing 97 people. The black box has just been recovered. More at Al Jazeera.

Calls for PM Adviser to Step Down: Many in the UK have called for Dominic Cummings, Senior Adviser to PM Boris Johnson, to resign after he made a 260 mile trip to be with relatives as his wife developed COVID symptoms. More at BBC.

NYSE: The trading floor of the New York Stock Exchange will reopen on Tuesday after an 8 week closure due to COVID. PPE and distancing guidelines will be in place, and only 25% of traders will be on the floor. More at CBS.