Chris Christie set to enter Republican presidential nomination race

Tennessee Passes Bill Allowing Teachers to Carry Guns

Tennessee Passes Bill , Allowing Teachers to Carry Guns. The Tennessee House of Representatives passed the bill by a vote of 68-28 on April 23, CBS News reports. The legislation would grant some teachers and staff the right to carry concealed handguns at public schools. The bill will now be sent to Republican Gov. Bill Lee to either sign or veto. . If signed into law, the legislation would represent the largest expansion of gun access in Tennessee since the deadly shooting at The Covenant School in Nashville last year. Teachers and staff carrying guns would only be known to administrators and police. Teachers and staff carrying guns would only be known to administrators and police. Other teachers and students' parents would not be privy to the information. . If a school worker wants to carry a handgun, they'd have to have a "permit and written authorization from the school's principal and local law enforcement," CBS News reports. . If a school worker wants to carry a handgun, they'd have to have a "permit and written authorization from the school's principal and local law enforcement," CBS News reports. . School districts would need to grant permission as well. A background check and 40 hours of training would also be mandatory. However, school staff would be prohibited from carrying their guns during events at stadiums, gymnasiums or auditoriums. . Protesters shouted "Blood on your hands" after the bill was passed by the House on April 23

Senate Passes $95 Billion Foreign Aid Package

Senate Passes $95 Billion , Foreign Aid Package. On April 23, the U.S. Senate voted 79-18 to approve foreign aid for Ukraine, Israel and Taiwan, 'The Guardian' reports. . Today the Senate sends a unified message to the entire world: America will always defend democracy in its hour of need, Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, via statement. Make no mistake, America will deliver on its promise to act like a leader on the world stage, to hold the line against autocratic thugs like Vladimir Putin. , Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, via statement. The package includes $60.8 billion for Ukraine, $26.3 billion for Israel and $8.1 billion for Taiwan. The package includes $60.8 billion for Ukraine, $26.3 billion for Israel and $8.1 billion for Taiwan. The package includes $60.8 billion for Ukraine, $26.3 billion for Israel and $8.1 billion for Taiwan. A provision to ban TikTok after the election if ByteDance refuses to sell the platform is also included. The legislation will now head to President Biden, who told Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky on April 23 that he will "move quickly" to provide aid. Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer praised House Speaker Mike Johnson, . Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer praised House Speaker Mike Johnson, . with whom he worked "hand in hand and shoulder to shoulder to get this bill done.". A lot of people inside and outside the Congress wanted this package to fail. But today those in Congress who stand on the side of democracy are winning the day, Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, via statement. Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell also issued a statement. Today’s action is overdue, but our work does not end here. Trust in American resolve is not rebuilt overnight. Expanding and restocking the arsenal of democracy doesn’t just happen by magic, Senate Majority Republican Leader Mitch McConnell, via statement

Title IX Regulations Add Protections for Transgender Students

Title IX Regulations Add Protections , for Transgender Students. Title IX prohibits "sex-based discrimination at government-funded schools," 'The Hill' reports. . On April 19, the Biden administration revealed the last of its changes to the federal civil rights law. . The new regulations expand how sex discrimination is defined, now including sexual orientation and gender identity. . These final regulations build on the legacy of Title IX by clarifying that all our nation’s students can access schools that are safe, welcoming, and respect their rights. , Education Secretary Miguel Cardona, via statement. The update also reinstates "protections for student survivors of sexual assault and harassment" which were changed under President Trump, 'The Hill' reports. Catherine Lhamon, the Education Department’s assistant secretary for civil rights, . says the new rules will help schools respond to "all sex discrimination, not limited to sexual harassment.". Biden's final changes to Title IX are sure to be condemned by Republicans who view transgender protections as failing to protect cisgender women and girls. The new changes will take effect Aug. 1. The Biden administration has not yet finalized an additional rule pertaining to sports eligibility. . Since 2021, 24 states have passed laws prohibiting transgender student-athletes from playing on sports teams that align with their gender identity

Massive fireball lights up night sky of New Jersey, marks a week of bizarre phenomena | Oneindia

Early in the morning on Wednesday, April 10, the night sky over New Jersey was unexpectedly illuminated by a massive fireball streaking across it. This remarkable event marks the third extraordinary natural phenomenon observed in the United States this week, following a rare earthquake and a total solar eclipse. Reports suggest that the sudden blaze of light may have been caused by a meteor hurtling towards the earth, possibly landing somewhere within New Jersey's Garden State or its surrounding areas. #NewJerseyFireball #BizarrePhenomena #NightSkySpectacle #MeteorMadness #AstrologyWonders #EpicFireball #CelestialDisplay #WeekOfWonder #MeteorMystery #SkyLitUp ~PR.152~ED.194~

4.8-Magnitude Earthquake Hits US East Coast

4.8-Magnitude Earthquake , Hits US East Coast. NBC reports that the East Coast of the United States was struck by an earthquake on April 5 which was felt from Maryland to Maine. According to the U.S. Geological Survey, the earthquake struck just before 10:30 a.m. local time and was measured at a 4.8-magnitude. . There were no initial reports of any major damage. According to New York Governor Kathy Hochul, the quake could be felt across the state. . My team is assessing impacts and any damage that may have occurred, and we will update the public throughout the day, Kathy Hochul, New York Governor, via NBC. New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy said that the state's emergency operations center had been activated. New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy said that the state's emergency operations center had been activated. As a result of the quake, the Port Authority Transit Corp. suspended service between Pennsylvania and New Jersey. . Crews will inspect the integrity of the line out of an abundance of caution. Once inspection is complete, service will resume. No timeframe. Updates to follow, Port Authority Transit Corp. statement, via X. Meanwhile, New York’s Metropolitan Transportation Authority said service would not be impacted by the quake, and teams would be inspecting train lines for damage. NBC reports that earthquakes are a rare occurrence in the Northeast, however in February of 2023, Buffalo, New York, was struck by a 3.8-magnitude quake

DOJ Sues Apple for Monopolizing Smartphone Market

DOJ Sues Apple , for Monopolizing Smartphone Market. The Justice Department and 16 state attorneys general filed suit against Apple on March 21 in New Jersey, 'The Hill' reports. . The complaint alleges that the tech company constructed a "dominant iPhone platform and ecosystem," . and "rather than respond to competitive threats by offering lower smartphone prices to consumers or better monetization for developers,". Apple enforced a "series of shapeshifting rules and restrictions" in the App Store. It has deployed this playbook across many technologies, products, and services, including super apps, text messaging, smartwatches, and digital wallets, among many others, Via complaint. Today’s lawsuit seeks to hold Apple accountable and ensure it cannot deploy the same, unlawful playbook in other vital markets, Via complaint. In its defense, Apple claimed that the lawsuit "threatens who we are and the principles that set Apple products apart in fiercely competitive markets.". If successful, [this lawsuit] would hinder our ability to create the kind of technology people expect from Apple—where hardware, software, and services intersect, Apple, via statement. It would also set a dangerous precedent, empowering government to take a heavy hand in designing people’s technology. , Apple, via statement. We believe this lawsuit is wrong on the facts and the law, and we will vigorously defend against it, Apple, via statement