TL/DR: "This is about respect, this is about addressing the past, and this is about fighting for our future," said Jon Holden, who headed the negotiations for The International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers.
The rundown: Thousands of Boeing workers voted to go on strike this week, halting production of the company's strongest-selling jet. Find out how this could impact the aviation industry.
Why it matters: The vote means around 33,000 workers who produce Boeing's 737 MAX and other jets in the Seattle and Portland areas walked out on Friday after rejecting a pay deal. The deal would have seen a pay increase of 25 percent, a $3,000 signing bonus, and a pledge to build Boeing's next commercial jet in the Seattle area. However, workers voted to reject the deal after asking for a 40 percent pay increase. Boeing workers voted 94.6 percent to reject the agreement and 96 percent in favor of striking. The strike is just the latest in a string of problems faced by the company in recent times.
Read more in-depth coverage:
What Boeing's New CEO Can Do to Right the Ship
What happens now? It is not clear how long the strike will last. It comes after union representatives advised members to support the proposed deal. Boeing CEO Kelly Ortberg, who was appointed last month, had made a last-ditch plea to workers, warning that a strike would put the company's "recovery in jeopardy."
TL/DR: “Fracking is giving us a geopolitical weapon against Putin,” Jones said.
The rundown: Vice President Kamala Harris "needs" to support fracking as a weapon against Russian President Vladimir Putin, according to CNN political commentator Van Jones. Find out why Jones believes this strategy is crucial.
Why it matters: Harris has recently faced heavy criticism from Republicans including Donald Trump for changing her position on fracking in the years since she ran as a candidate in the 2020 presidential election. Harris called for a fracking ban as recently as late 2019, but says that she is now in favor of allowing the practice, which involves fracturing shale rock to help extract natural gas. The former Obama adviser said that the support of fracking was a critical stance for Harris and one that she would not reverse, because it allows the U.S. government to counteract Putin's threats of cutting off European natural-gas supplies amid the ongoing war in Ukraine.
Read more in-depth coverage:
What Is Fracking? Controversial Topic From Trump–Harris Debate Explained
What happens now? Jones explained that the U.S. had been able to "hold the European coalition together" during the Russia-Ukraine war due to fracking, pointing out that Putin threatened to "cut gas off to Europe" if European nations backed Ukraine. Harris and other Democrats had fallen silent on fracking during the Biden administration because the "entire" party's position on the practice had changed due to the situation in Europe and was unlikely to change again soon.
TL/DR: McAfee also rejected an attempt to dismiss the entire case due to the federal Electoral Count Act.
The rundown: Former President Donald Trump has been handed a court win in his election subversion case in Fulton County, Georgia. Here's why the charges were dismissed against him.
Why it matters: Judge Scott McAfee dismissed two charges against Trump on Thursday, ruling that Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis did not have the authority to bring charges that concern the filing of documents in federal court, according to Reuters. McAfee allowed eight other charges against Trump to proceed while dismissing one charge against Trump's co-defendants. The three charges that were dropped concerned an alleged plot to overturn President Joe Biden's 2020 election win in Georgia with the help of fake pro-Trump electors, as well as false claims allegedly made in a civil lawsuit. Trump said he had "every right" to interfere with the election.
Read more in-depth coverage:
Donald Trump Stung in New Legal Loss After Sentencing Request
What happens now? The judge dismissed the charges based on the Supremacy Clause of the U.S. Constitution, which dictates that federal law takes precedence over conflicting state laws. A Georgia appeals court is set to hear arguments in the Willis matter in December, with the underlying case remaining on hold at least until then.
TL/DR: The nonpartisan Cook Political Report has rated the contest for the seat a toss-up.
The rundown: In Michigan, former Republican Rep. Mike Rogers is battling Democratic Congresswoman Elissa Slotkin in a potentially crucial race for the U.S. Senate. An expert told Newsweek that the contest is steered by four key issues in the Great Lakes State. Find out what these key issues are and why they are crucial.
Why it matters: The seat is vacant following Debbie Stabenow's retirement after serving since 2001, and with the Democrats' narrow Senate majority, the race could determine who controls the upper chamber next year. According to Jonathan Hanson, public policy lecturer at the University of Michigan's Ford School, the race will center around several pivotal concerns. "The main issues in the Michigan Senate race, thus far, have been the cost of living, reproductive rights, immigration, and the war in Gaza," he said. Here's how the Democrats' chances of winning the Senate have changed.
Read more in-depth coverage:
Elissa Slotkin's Latest Chances of Beating Mike Rogers in Michigan Senate Race
What happens now? Polls show Slotkin leading the contest, with a poll published this month by Redfield and Wilton Strategies putting her 5 points ahead of Rogers, 44 percent to 39 percent. Despite Slotkin's lead, Rogers has the endorsement of Trump and the financial backing of national Republicans, which could help his prospects come November.
TL/DR: The prospect of peace talks has been raised several times, without success, since the Russian leader launched a full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022.
The rundown: Donald Trump's running mate, JD Vance, has suggested how their administration might seek to end Russia's war in Ukraine, should they win the White House. Here's what he said.
Why it matters: Trump, who served as president from 2017 to 2021, has claimed on multiple occasions that he would have ended the war in Ukraine "in 24 hours" if he won the 2020 presidential election. He has also said repeatedly that if reelected, he would swiftly bring an end to the war in Ukraine by speaking with Putin. However, his reported plan sparked concern. Vance said potential peace talks involving Trump could involve a "heavily fortified" demilitarized zone at the countries' borders. Vance believes Trump's direct approach could quickly lead to a deal, criticizing current U.S. policies as ineffective.
Read more in-depth coverage:
Kremlin Responds to Claims of Ukraine Talks With Trump
What happens now? Vance didn't specify exactly where he thinks the demilitarized zone should be but said it would be "heavily fortified so the Russians don't invade again." The U.S. presidential election is scheduled for Tuesday, November 5. Russia and Ukraine are watching the U.S. elections closely.
I'm the 'Hawk Tuah Girl'. I Just Tune the Haters Out
After the "hawk tuah" clip went viral, I literally forgot about it. And then two days later, a few of my friends sent me the link and I thought: Oh no.
But it didn't go crazy until later that afternoon when it was suddenly everywhere. I was so embarrassed. In fact, I was so embarrassed that I didn't go anywhere besides to work and back.
I even reached out to those guys who filmed me and said: OK, you posted that one clip, can you please stop posting the others?
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podcastPolitics, law, and culture collide as Newsweek Senior Editor-at-Large Josh Hammer charts a path forward for American conservatism and exposes the woke Left.
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