Who’s cracking down on ‘I spy with my little eye’…President Biden. Yesterday, he signed an executive orderthat restricts how the US governmentuses commercial spyware. For years, surveillance programs have been able to steal people’s data and location. The tech can reportedly infect cell phones without people having to click on a malicious link (so a little scarier than those annoying phishing emails). While governments around the world have used spyware to counter terrorism and other crimes, critics allege that the tech’s increasingly being used against human rights advocates, journalists, and dissidents. Now, the Biden admin says US agencies won’t be allowed to use spyware that could pose security risks. It comes as at least 50 US government employees are suspected or confirmed to have been the target of spyware hacks.
Where people were rushing to the grocery store…Philadelphia. Yesterday, Philadelphians got the OK to drink the city’s tap water through at least today. It comes days after a chemical spill left many scrambling. Over the weekend, a pipe burst near a manufacturing plant, spilling about 8,100 gallons of finishing solution into the Delaware River — a main source of water for Philadelphia. It had many residents worried that the spill may have contaminated the water supply. But after testing, local officials say things are looking good for now. Still, that didn’t stop many from panic buying bottled water from the grocery store. Now, officials say they'll continue to monitor the situation.
Who’s hitting pause…Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu. Yesterday, he delayed a plan to overhaul the country's judicial system. In January, Netanyahu's gov — the most right-wing in Israel's history — unveiled a measure that would grant parliament more power to overturn Supreme Court decisions and appoint judges. The Israeli PM and supporters say the changes are to curb liberal bias in the court. But critics say it gives the gov too much power. Earlier this week, monthslong protests against the plan reached a boiling point after Netanyahu fired his defense minister for speaking out against the proposed changes. The largest trade union called for a strike, the main airport closed down, and most of the country came to a standstill. Now, Netanyahu says that in order to avoid a “civil war,” he's hitting pause on the gov's plans until parliament's next session begins in about a month. Meanwhile, the national security minister says “the reform will pass.” Many are planning to protest until the gov completely gives up on its plans.
While glass beads on the moon might not be visible to the naked eye…These planets aligning might be.
What’s set in stone…The NCAA Women’s Final Four.
Who thinks an IG post will do the trick…Becky G’s apologetic fiancé. |