National
Supreme Court blocks federal mandate for private workers to vaccinate or test
The Supreme Court gutted the Biden administration's pandemic-response strategy Thursday in a split decision that puts a vaccine-or-test mandate for large businesses on ice.
Social media giants subpoenaed by Jan 6 committee
The congressional committee charged with investigating the Jan. 6, 2021, attack on the U.S. Capitol subpoenaed four large Silicon Valley social media companies Thursday, saying the companies had failed to furnish requested items vital to the investigation.
The law and the profits: Inside kratom’s political underbelly
In the final part of our series on the botanical supplement kratom, the lobbyist who made a senator nearly 50 years ago keeps cashing in — even as kratom fatalities mount.
Biden doubles 500 million order for at-home Covid-19 tests
As Covid-19 cases continue to soar across much of the globe, U.S. President Joe Biden announced Thursday his administration will purchase an additional 500 million rapid Covid-19 tests to mail to Americans.
Regional
Texas Republicans demand Planned Parenthood return $10 million in Medicaid payments
Texas Republicans continued their years-long quest to defund Planned Parenthood in federal court on Thursday, demanding the return of $10 million in Medicaid reimbursements paid by the state.
Software engineer beats conviction for theft of fishing secrets at 11th Circuit
An Alabama software engineer and avid angler who was sentenced to 18 months in prison for stealing fishing reef coordinates scored a win on Wednesday when an 11th Circuit panel tossed out his conviction for theft of trade secrets because he was prosecuted in the wrong federal court.
International
Syrian official sentenced to life for crimes against humanity in landmark German trial
A German court in the small, southwestern city of Koblenz convicted a senior Syrian official on Thursday for crimes against humanity for the murder and torture of political prisoners during the Syrian Civil War.
EU court OKs offshore drilling work in Adriatic Sea
The European Union's top court cleared the way Thursday for the acceleration of offshore drilling off the coasts of Italy, another blow to nature lovers, environmentalists and fishermen.
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