NASA SMAP Satellite Deployed Into Orbit

AFP
First 'extreme' solar storm in 20 years brings spectacular auroras
The most powerful solar storm in more than two decades struck Earth on Friday, triggering spectacular celestial light shows in skies from Tasmania to Britain -- and threatening possible disruptions to satellites and power grids as it persists into the weekend.Authorities notified satellite operators, airlines and the power grid to take precautionary steps for potential disruptions caused by changes to Earth's magnetic field.
Associated Press
Judge strikes down NY county's ban on female transgender athletes after roller derby league sues
A New York judge on Friday struck down a Long Island county's order banning female transgender athletes after a local women’s roller derby league challenged it. Judge Francis Ricigliano ruled that Nassau County Executive Bruce Blakeman didn't have the authority to issue his February executive order, which denies park permits to any women’s and girl’s teams, leagues or organizations that allow female transgender athletes to participate.
Reuters
Ukraine ground force commander expects Russian push ahead of arms supplies
"Russia knows that if we receive enough weapons within a month or two, the situation could turn against them," General Oleskander Pavliuk told The Economist magazine. Supplies of U.S. weapons slowed for months while an aid package proposed by President Joe Biden was held up by wrangling in Congress. President Volodymyr Zelenskiy said on Friday that Ukraine still needed "timely" future supplies of key weapons.
NBC News
Farmers will now get paid to test their dairy cows for bird flu
Federal health authorities on Friday pledged nearly $200 million in an attempt to control the spread of bird flu among dairy cows.
TODAY
Daughter calls out ‘Facetune Mom’ for editing photos to make her look thinner
TikToker Sabrina Carpenter shares what a 'Facetune Mom' is in viral post. "My mom edits the crap out of ... her pictures and she also edits the crap out of me."
NBC News
Biden administration says Israel is not violating U.S. weapons terms
The report said while it's "reasonable to assess" Israel has violated international law in Gaza, the U.S. hasn’t verified instances to justify withholding military aid.
Associated Press
Thomas says critics are pushing 'nastiness' and calls Washington a 'hideous place'
Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas told attendees at a judicial conference Friday that he and his wife have faced “nastiness" and "lies” over the last several years and decried Washington, D.C., as a “hideous place.” Thomas spoke at a conference attended by judges, attorneys and other court personnel in the 11th Circuit Judicial Conference, which hears federal cases from Alabama, Florida and Georgia.
CNN
Russia mounts surprise assault on northern Ukraine in most serious cross-border offensive in two years
Russian forces have made two cross border assaults inside northern Ukraine, according to information from Ukrainian sources and officials – in what President Volodymyr Zelensky is calling a ‘new wave of counteroffensive actions” by Russia.
Associated Press
Sean 'Diddy' Combs asks judge to dismiss 'false' claim that he, others raped 17-year-old girl
Sean “Diddy” Combs on Friday asked a federal judge to dismiss a lawsuit alleging that he and two co-defendants raped a 17-year-old girl in a New York recording studio in 2003, saying it was a “false and hideous claim" that was filed too late under the law. “Mr. Combs and his companies categorically deny Plaintiff’s decades-old tale against them, which has caused incalculable damage to their reputations and business standing before any evidence has been presented,” says the filing, which also names Combs-owned corporations as defendants.
NBC News
Barron Trump declines invitation to be a delegate at the Republican National Convention
Former first lady Melania Trump issued a statement saying Barron Trump would not be participating in the Republican National Convention as a delegate.
TODAY
TikTokers say apple juice masks the taste of tequila. But is it safe?
People on TikTok say apple juice masks the taste of tequila. We tried it out, and we asked an expert what to watch out for if you try it for yourself.
TODAY
2 new COVID variants called 'FLiRT' are spreading in the U.S. What are the symptoms?
The new "FLiRT" COVID-19 variants, including KP.2, are spreading in the United States. Will there be a summer surge? Experts discuss KP.2 transmission, symptoms, and vaccines.
CNN
Northern lights may be visible across parts of the US this weekend. Why are they so active right now?
Increased solar activity could cause auroras as far south as Alabama and Northern California, but may disrupt communications on Earth tonight and over the weekend.
CBS News
Geomagnetic storm may disrupt power, but expand aurora viewing
Geomagnetic storms can affect infrastructure, but may also bring an expanded viewing of the aurora borealis.
Associated Press
Amid GOP focus on elections, Georgia Republicans remove officer found to have voted illegally
Georgia's Republican Party has removed one of its officers after an administrative law judge found he voted illegally nine times after moving to the state. The state Republican Committee voted 146-24 on Friday to remove Brian K. Pritchard, its first vice chairman, state Chairman Josh McKoon said after the closed meeting. Georgia is one of a number of state Republican parties that have experienced turmoil as supporters of Donald Trump have taken over at the grassroots level, ousting previous leaders and demanding that the party prioritize Trump's false claims of fraud in the 2020 election.
Politico
US cites ‘concerns’ about Israeli weapons in Gaza but skirts around saying it violated international law
A new State Department report, criticized as inconclusive, drew immediate fire from both progressive Democrats and Republicans.
AFP
Fresh rains pound Brazil's flood-hit south as evacuations double
The skies opened once again Friday in southern Brazil, offering little respite for those whose homes have been swallowed by floodwaters, while the number of people forced to evacuate doubled in 24 hours.In the past 24 hours, the number of people forced to flee their homes almost doubled to around 411,000 people, according to civil defense figures.
Politico
Inside the unusually aggressive Arizona grand jury that indicted Trump’s allies
The grand jury displayed remarkable independence, even charging two Trump lawyers after prosecutors said they were not under investigation.
Reuters
US working to keep Israel, Hamas engaged in Gaza truce efforts
Washington said it was trying to keep Israel and the Palestinian Islamist group Hamas engaged "if only virtually" in Gaza truce efforts as a U.N. agency warned that humanitarian aid stocks in the devastated enclave have hit "the bottom of the barrel." Hamas said on Friday it would consult with other militant Palestinian factions on its strategy to negotiate a halt to the war triggered by its Oct. 7 onslaught into Israel. The United Nations warned that aid for Gaza could grind to a halt within days after Israel seized control of the Rafah border crossing between Gaza and Egypt, closing the vital route on which the enclave of 2.3 million Palestinians depends.
CNN
US hopes to maintain some forces in Niger as talks on withdrawal continue, officials say
The US is trying to negotiate an agreement with the military junta that took over Niger last July to leave behind a small contingent of US forces, even as a broad withdrawal order has been issued to enable the departure of the majority of the less than 1,000 US troops in the West African nation, according to US officials.

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