In the news today: The U.S. Senate has passed $95 billion in war aid to Ukraine, Israel and Taiwan; a TikTok bill is sent to Biden to be signed into law; and villagers in Mexico organize to take back water from commercial avocado growers. Also, congratulations to the AP teams who worked on "Adrift," an investigation that traced the story of one boat across three continents — and the people in it who were searching for a better life. It just won the Webby People's Choice award for Best Individual Editorial Feature as well as an Overseas Press Club award. You can read the story here.
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The American and Ukrainian flags wave in the wind outside of the Capitol on Tuesday. (AP Photo/Mariam Zuhaib)
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Senate overwhelmingly passes aid for Ukraine, Israel and Taiwan
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The Senate has passed $95 billion in war aid to Ukraine, Israel and Taiwan, sending the legislation to President Joe Biden after months of delays and contentious debate over how involved the United States should be in foreign wars. The bill passed the Senate on an overwhelming 79-18 vote late Tuesday after the House had approved the package Saturday. Read more.
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President Biden, who worked with congressional leaders to win support, said in a statement immediately after passage that he will sign it Wednesday and start the process of sending weapons to Ukraine, which has been struggling to hold its front lines against Russia.
The legislation would also send $26 billion in wartime assistance to Israel and humanitarian relief to citizens of Gaza, and $8 billion to counter Chinese threats in Taiwan and the Indo-Pacific. U.S. officials said about $1 billion of the aid could be on its way shortly, with the bulk following in coming weeks.
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Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer and Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell made passage of the legislation a top priority, agreeing to tie Ukraine and Israel aid to help ensure passage. The Senate leaders worked with House Speaker Mike Johnson, a Republican, to overcome seemingly intractable Republican opposition to the Ukraine aid, eventually winning large majorities in both chambers.
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A bill forcing TikTok’s China-based parent company to sell or face a ban is awaiting Biden’s signature |
The Senate passed legislation Tuesday that would force TikTok’s China-based parent company, ByteDance, to sell the social media platform under the threat of a ban in a contentious move by U.S. lawmakers. China has previously said it would oppose a forced sale of TikTok. And TikTok, which has long denied it’s a security threat, is preparing a lawsuit to block the legislation. Read more.
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The passage of the legislation is a culmination of long-held bipartisan fears in Washington over Chinese threats and the ownership of TikTok, which is used by 170 million Americans. For years, lawmakers and officials have expressed concerns that Chinese authorities could force ByteDance to hand over U.S. user data, or influence Americans by suppressing or promoting certain content on TikTok.
Many opponents of the TikTok measure argue the best way to protect U.S. consumers is through implementing a federal data privacy law that targets all companies regardless of their origin. They also note the U.S. has not provided public evidence that shows TikTok sharing U.S. user information with Chinese authorities, or that Chinese officials have ever tinkered with its algorithm.
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Angry farmers in a once-lush Mexican state target avocado orchards that suck up too much water
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As a drought in Mexico drags on, angry subsistence farmers have begun taking direct action on thirsty avocado orchards and berry fields of commercial farms that are drying up streams in the mountains west of Mexico City. Read more. |
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After a year in which Mexico received only about half its normal rainfall, residents became desperate last week and ripped out pumps and hoses for an avocado orchard. In a sign of how seriously the local government is taking the potential threat, the group was accompanied by the mayor of Villa Madero, who blamed outsiders for the problem.
A potential conflict looms with avocado growers, who are often sponsored by — or pay protection money to — drug cartels. Drug cartels often make money from illegal logging and extorting money from avocado growers in Michoacan. Activists around Villa Madero have suffered threats, kidnappings and beatings.
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Detainees, DePaul students, and Sister Helen Prejean attend a book club at the Department Of Corrections Division 11 in Chicago. (AP Photo/Nam Y. Huh)
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A unique book club meeting between college students, inmates and a nun
A book club at one of the nation's largest jails has brought together college students, inmates and nun Sister Helen Prejean, author of “Dead Man Walking.” At the weekly meetings, one club rule is clear: Discussions about personal lives are encouraged, but no questions are permitted about why other members are in jail. |
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Please let us know what you think of this newsletter. You can sign up for more and invite a friend here. For news in real time visit APNews.com. - Sarah
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