September 5, 2021 - The Florida Capital Star

Nikki Fried Jabs at Charlie Crist over Past Policies

September 5, 2021September 4, 2021 Grant Holcomb

Florida Agriculture Commissioner Nikki Fried (D) took jabs at Congressman Charlie Crist (D-13) over his previous political affiliations and supporting pro-life policies when he was a Republican. Fried and Crist are both running to unseat Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis in the 2022 gubernatorial election.

On Twitter, Fried posted a YouTube clip with the added caption that she is the only candidate who has been “pro-choice” her entire life, referencing an old clip where Crist said “I am pro-life, I am pro-gun, and I am pro-family, and I am anti-tax and I always have been.”

Commentary: Making ‘Allies’ of Terrorists Is as Disastrous as You Would Expect

September 5, 2021September 4, 2021 Florida Capital Star Staff

Taliban insurgents turn themselves in to Afghan National Security Forces at a forward operating base in Puza-i-Eshan

In the wake of the bungled U.S. withdrawal from Afghanistan, many Americans may be wondering how the U.S. government found itself closely cooperating with, and even relying upon, an enemy with whom we were at war for 20 years.

The Taliban maintains its intention to enforce Sharia Law, harbors al-Qaeda, and includes a designated terrorist group among its organizations.

Yet the head of U.S. Central Command, General Kenneth McKenzie, praised the Taliban for their assistance with the U.S. evacuation, calling the jihadist group “actually very helpful.”

Psaki Refuses to Discuss ‘Leaked’ Transcript of Biden’s Phone Call with Former Afghan President

September 5, 2021September 4, 2021 Florida Capital Star Staff

White House Press Secretary Jen Psaki on Wednesday refused to discuss the transcript of a shocking phone conversation between Joe Biden and then-Afghan President Ashraf Ghani, even though she once called for more transparency regarding a phone call between President Trump and Ukraine president Volodymyr Zelensky.

During the phone call in question, Biden pressured Ghani to create the “perception” that the Taliban weren’t winning, “whether it’s true or not,” knowing that the insurgents had already taken over about half the country.

Progressives Renew Calls to Abolish Filibuster, Pack Supreme Court After Texas Abortion Decision

September 5, 2021September 4, 2021 Florida Capital Star Staff

Progressives renewed their calls to abolish the Senate filibuster and expand the Supreme Court after it did not block a Texas law restricting abortion access from going into effect.

“Republicans promised to overturn Roe v Wade, and they have,” New York Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez wrote just after midnight Thursday, invoking the 1973 landmark Supreme Court case. “Democrats can either abolish the filibuster and expand the court, or do nothing as millions of peoples’ bodies, rights, and lives are sacrificed for far-right minority rule.”

Report: WHO Says Dementia Population Set to Increase 40 Percent by 2030

September 5, 2021September 4, 2021 Florida Capital Star Staff

The total number of people diagnosed with dementia will increase by over 40% by 2030, the World Health Organization predicted on Thursday.

The World Health Organization (WHO) estimates that over 55 million currently live with dementia, according to a recent report. The WHO expects that number to reach 78 million by 2030 and 139 million by 2050.

Apple Delays Launch of Controversial Child Pornography Scanning Tool over Privacy Backlash

September 5, 2021September 4, 2021 Florida Capital Star Staff

Apple is delaying the release of a software update that scans iPhones for child pornography after criticism suggested that the features violated user privacy, the tech giant announced Friday.

“Previously we announced plans for features intended to help protect children from predators who use communication tools to recruit and exploit them and to help limit the spread of Child Sexual Abuse Material,” the company said in a statement posted to its website Friday. “Based on feedback from customers, advocacy groups, researchers, and others, we have decided to take additional time over the coming months to collect input and make improvements before releasing these critically important child safety features.”

Senate Judiciary Committee to Review Supreme Court’s ‘Abuse’ of Shadow Docket

September 5, 2021September 4, 2021 Florida Capital Star Staff

The Senate Judiciary Committee will hold a hearing on the Supreme Court’s use of the so-called “shadow docket” — a method of issuing brief late-night rulings on key cases like the Texas abortion law.

“The Supreme Court must operate with the highest regard for judicial integrity in order to earn the public’s trust,” Judiciary Committee Chair Dick Durbin, who is also the Senate majority whip, said in a statement. “This anti-choice law is a devastating blow to Americans’ constitutional rights — and the Court allowed it to see the light of day without public deliberation or transparency.”

State Department Can’t Answer How U.S. Will Deal with Afghan Refugees Who Do Not Pass ‘Rigorous’ Security Screening

September 5, 2021September 4, 2021 Florida Capital Star Staff

The State Department would not reveal what the U.S. will do with Afghan refugees who are flagged for security reasons.

“I would rather not entertain a hypothetical,” Ned Price, a spokesperson for the State Department, said at a press briefing Thursday when asked what would happen to Afghan evacuees who fail the vetting process.

Commentary: Homeschooling Numbers Are Skyrocketing in Some Parts of the Country

September 5, 2021September 4, 2021 Florida Capital Star Staff

The numbers are startling. More parents are pulling their children out of school for homeschooling this fall, prompted in large part by school mask policies and ongoing virus concerns.

The homeschooling rate in the US doubled in 2020, and tripled from its pre-pandemic level, as parents sought other options when confronted with prolonged school closures.

Facebook’s WhatsApp Hit with $265 Million Fine for Violating Personal Data Laws

September 5, 2021September 4, 2021 Florida Capital Star Staff

European Union regulators imposed a $265 million fine on Facebook-owned messaging service WhatsApp on Thursday for failing to adequately inform consumers what it did with their data.

The fine, issued by the Data Protection Commission (DPC), related to WhatsApp’s failure to provide consumers with certain information about how it shared their personal data with other Facebook-owned companies, according to the agency’s announcement. This omission by WhatsApp violated the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR), the EU’s data protection and privacy law governing how tech companies collect and share user information.

Virginia Universities Start Kicking Out Unvaccinated Students

September 5, 2021September 4, 2021 The Center Square

Some Virginia universities have started kicking out students who refused to get vaccinated against COVID-19 and other institutions may start following suit.

Virginia Tech disenrolled 134 students this week who did not receive the vaccine. Before that, the University of Virginia disenrolled 288 students, and William & Mary withdrew 42 students for the same reason. All three universities require students be vaccinated against COVID-19 unless they receive a medical or religious exemption.

“Of the approximately 37,000 students enrolled at Virginia Tech, 134 students were not in compliance with the COVID-19 vaccination requirement, meaning that they did not submit vaccination documentation or receive a medical or religious exemption,” a statement on Virginia Tech’s website read. “These students have been disenrolled. The university does not know whether any of these students were not planning to return for reasons unrelated to the COVID-19 vaccine requirement.”

Another Instance of FBI Anti-Trump Sentiments Rocks Whitmer Kidnap Plot Case

September 5, 2021September 4, 2021 Florida Capital Star Staff

The FBI keeps getting in hot water when it comes to political expressions against former President Donald Trump.

The latest example came when it was disclosed that one of the lead FBI agents in the investigation into an alleged plot to kidnap Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer will be precluded from testifying at trial after he used an expletive to describe Trump.

Wisconsin Rep. Bryan Steil Questions Why Biden Admin Shuttered Trump Era Contingency and Crisis Response Bureau Before Afghanistan Withdrawal

September 5, 2021September 4, 2021 Hayley Feland

Wisconsin Representative Bryan Steil (R-01-WI) is questioning why the Biden Administration shuttered the Trump era Contingency and Crisis Response (CCR) Bureau prior to withdrawing from Afghanistan. Steil co-wrote a letter to the Secretary of State Anthony Blinken with another Representative, saying that he believes that the decision to shut down the CCR made the Afghanistan situation worse.

Florida Gov. DeSantis Appeals Judicial Ruling on Mask Mandates

September 5, 2021September 4, 2021 Grant Holcomb

Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis (R) announced his administration has appealed a legal ruling striking down his July executive order banning mask mandates. DeSantis initially signed the order to prevent school districts from imposing district-wide mask mandates on students.

DeSantis has previously cited the recently signed “Parental Bill of Rights” legislation ensuring parents have the right to make healthcare decisions for their children, including wearing or not wearing masks.

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