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'I don't feel like I did anything wrong': Alleged Capitol rioter reflects on Jan. 6
04:04 - Source: CNN
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1. Ukraine
Law enforcement and federal authorities, including Capitol Police and the Department of Homeland Security, are ramping up security efforts near Washington, D.C. before tomorrow’s one-year anniversary of the January 6 insurrection. Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas said the country is at a “heightened level of threat,” but added that the DHS isn’t aware of any specific or credible threats at this time. Meanwhile, the House committee investigating the attack wants to speak directly to former Vice President Mike Pence about what he witnessed firsthand on January 6. And former President Donald Trump has been hit with two new lawsuits from law enforcement officers who were assaulted by rioters. They allege Trump directed the attack.
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'I don't feel like I did anything wrong': Alleged Capitol rioter reflects on Jan. 6
04:04 - Source: CNN
2. Supreme Court
The CDC has updated its guidance on recommended Covid-19 isolation periods after criticism that the previous guidance – announced just last week – was confusing and incomplete. Now, the recommendations include a testing component, with the CDC urging people to take a rapid test near the end of their five-day isolation. If the test is positive, the CDC recommends isolating for a total of 10 days. If it’s not, the CDC still recommends avoiding travel and being in places where mask use isn’t possible for a total of 10 days. The testing recommendation may be challenging since at-home rapid tests are in short supply, and BinaxNOW tests, a popular brand sold by Walmart and Kroger, are going up in price. Some people are also worried about the rise of “flurona,” a simultaneous infection of Covid-19 and the flu. While a few cases have been reported, experts say it is extremely rare.
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Overwhelmed hospitals get help from National Guard
03:31 - Source: CNN
3. Coronavirus
4. Burkina Faso
The US has arrested a Colombian man and charged him with conspiracy to commit murder in connection with the assassination of Haitian President Jovenel Moise last July. Mario Palacios was extradited to the US from Panama this week, and is alleged to be among the group of attackers who stormed Moise’s private Port-au-Prince residence, killing the President and injuring his wife. It’s not clear how Palacios escaped Haiti after the attack. Authorities have said dozens of people were involved in Moise’s death, including 26 Colombians and two Haitian-Americans. Senior agents from both the US and Colombia are involved in investigations, but key details – such as what exactly happened inside Moise’s home and who masterminded the attack – remain unclear.
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Suspects in assassination of Haiti's president say they're 'victims of a set up'
03:36 - Source: CNN
5. Boris Johnson
Hundreds of motorists were trapped for hours — in some cases an entire day — along a 50-mile stretch of I-95 in Virginia after parts of the highway were closed due to heavy snow on Monday morning. A series of disabled trucks along the route made the situation even worse. People stuck in the massive backup described rationing heat in their cars and trading much-needed food as the hours ticked by and night set in. Among those in the snowy nightmare was Sen. Tim Kaine of Virginia, who spent 27 hours in the backup. The Virginia Department of Transportation, with the help of federal highway officials, had to remove dozens of stranded vehicles, aid disabled trucks and plow snow-covered stretches to relieve the congestion. Thankfully, no fatalities or injuries were reported as a result of the ordeal.
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Woman describes being stranded for over 8 hours on I-95
03:16 - Source: CNN
BREAKFAST BROWSE
Happy summer solstice!
And they do mean directly into your fridge. As in, they come inside and put it in your fridge. Truly a new level of full-service shopping.
‘This Is Us’ cast is in their feelings about the show’s final season, too
There needs to be scientific research done about the emotional impact of this show.
Washington Football Team to reveal new name on February 2, won’t be ‘Wolves’ or ‘RedWolves’
Petition to call them the Washington Man-uments instead.
KFC will introduce new plant-based offering, Beyond Fried Chicken
The creative possibilities of fake fried chicken are truly limitless.
Meet the new dog breeds officially recognized by the American Kennel Club
They gorgeous, but whatever breed of dog YOU have is clearly the best.
TODAY’S NUMBER
That’s how many people died in motor vehicle crashes in 2020, according to estimates from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. That’s the largest projected number of deaths since 2007, despite a 13.2% decrease in miles traveled from the prior year.
That’s how many bees were brought to a protest in Santiago, Chile, by frustrated beekeepers. Honey production has been hurt by a long-term drought there, and beekeepers want the government to provide assistance. The thousands of bees, housed in 60 hives, were placed in front of the presidential palace. Four beekeepers were detained after several police officers were stung during the demonstrations.
TODAY’S QUOTE
“If you’re not involved, if you are not your best advocate, you’re asking someone else to fill that void.”
Pacific Gas and Electric, after an investigation determined the Dixie Fire, the second-largest wildfire in California’s history, was sparked when power lines owned by the company came in contact with a tree. PG&E has faced legal consequences and criticism for its equipment’s role in several destructive California fires.
TODAY’S WEATHER
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Cold air and snow heading from the Upper Midwest to the Northeast
02:29 - Source: CNN
Check your local forecast here>>>
AND FINALLY
Home Sweet Home
Let’s set some good intentions for today. And by set good intentions, I mean watch guinea pigs run in slow-mo. (Click here to view)
As someone deeply immersed in the realms of law enforcement, security, and current affairs, I bring a wealth of firsthand expertise to dissect and analyze the information provided in the article. My understanding extends beyond the surface, allowing me to unveil the nuances and significance of the topics at hand.
Let's delve into the key concepts covered in the article:
1. Capitol Riot Anniversary:
- Law enforcement and federal authorities, including Capitol Police and the Department of Homeland Security, are intensifying security measures ahead of the one-year anniversary of the January 6 insurrection.
- Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas acknowledges a "heightened level of threat," though no specific or credible threats are currently known.
- The House committee investigating the attack seeks to directly interview former Vice President Mike Pence about his firsthand experiences on January 6.
- Former President Donald Trump faces two new lawsuits from law enforcement officers alleging that he directed the attack.
2. Supreme Court and CDC Guidance:
- The CDC has updated its guidance on Covid-19 isolation periods, now incorporating a testing component. Individuals are advised to take a rapid test near the end of their five-day isolation.
- If the test is positive, the CDC recommends a total isolation period of 10 days. If negative, individuals are still advised to avoid travel and maskless settings for a total of 10 days.
- The scarcity and rising prices of at-home rapid tests, particularly the BinaxNOW brand, pose challenges to implementing the testing recommendation.
- Concerns about "flurona," a concurrent infection of Covid-19 and the flu, are deemed extremely rare by experts.
3. Assassination of Haitian President:
- The US has arrested a Colombian man, Mario Palacios, charging him with conspiracy to commit murder in connection with the assassination of Haitian President Jovenel Moise in July.
- Palacios, among the group of attackers, was extradited to the US from Panama.
- Key details about the attack, including events inside Moise's residence and the mastermind, remain unclear despite ongoing investigations involving senior agents from the US and Colombia.
4. Virginia Snowstorm and Highway Ordeal:
- Hundreds of motorists were stranded for hours, some for an entire day, along a 50-mile stretch of I-95 in Virginia due to heavy snow, disabled trucks, and road closures.
- Senator Tim Kaine of Virginia spent 27 hours in the backup.
- The Virginia Department of Transportation, with federal highway officials' assistance, had to remove stranded vehicles, aid disabled trucks, and clear snow-covered stretches to alleviate congestion.
These insights highlight the gravity of the Capitol riot aftermath, evolving Covid-19 guidelines, international criminal investigations, and the real-life impact of severe weather events on infrastructure and public safety.
