Politics

Washington State Senator Rebecca Saldaña (D-Seattle) has introduced a bill that would allocate state funds to provide unemployment benefits to illegal immigrants, despite the state's $10-17 billion budget deficit. The proposed legislation, SB 5023, aims to create a separate program for workers ineligible for federal unemployment insurance due to their immigration status.

Amazon has announced significant changes to its diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) initiatives, following an internal review. In a memo from Candi Castleberry, Vice President of Inclusive Experiences and Technology, the company stated it is "winding down outdated programs and materials" to integrate DEI efforts into broader company processes. The move reflects a trend in the corporate world as several major companies reevaluate their DEI strategies.

The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) announced Monday evening that its Transitional Sheltering Assistance (TSA) program will extend hotel stays for over 3,000 eligible residents in western North Carolina until January 25. The decision comes amid ongoing recovery efforts following the devastation caused by Hurricane Helene, which struck in late September.

Ohio Attorney General Dave Yost has filed a $17 million lawsuit against United States Gypsum Co., alleging the company failed to maintain underground gypsum mines beneath State Route 2, resulting in dangerous sinkholes and costly repairs.

Amid the wildfires devastating Los Angeles, nine individuals have been charged with looting in evacuation zones, adding another layer of hardship for residents struggling to recover. Los Angeles County District Attorney Nathan Hochman announced the charges on Monday, emphasizing a zero-tolerance policy for those exploiting the crisis.

Saudi Energy Minister Prince Abdulaziz bin Salman announced Monday that the Kingdom plans to produce "yellowcake," a uranium concentrate used as fuel for nuclear power plants, and to enrich and sell uranium globally. The statement, made at an energy conference, highlights Saudi Arabia’s ambitions to expand its nuclear program and diversify its economy beyond oil.

Labour MPs Sarah Champion and Paul Waugh, who represent the towns of Rotherham and Rochdale—epicenters of the UK’s grooming gang scandals—have reversed their positions and now support calls for a national public inquiry into the failures of authorities to address child exploitation. Their shift comes as pressure builds on Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer to act.

Several lawsuits accuse electric company Southern California Edison (SCE) of causing the major Eaton fire in the Los Angeles area.

Vice President Kamala Harris has declined the customary invitation for her successor, Senator JD Vance, to visit the vice presidential residence at the Naval Observatory before President-elect Donald Trump's second inauguration on January 20. The decision breaks with a long-standing tradition observed during vice presidential transitions.

President Joe Biden issued an executive order to develop AI data centers on federal sites.