Newsletter Jun 20, 2024

Quick Six

Democrats push Biden to halt military weapons sale to Israel
A group of Senate Democrats is urging President Joe Biden to withhold the sale of military weapons to Israel, suggesting it could be used as leverage to influence the conduct of the conflict in Gaza and Israel's policies toward Palestinians. The proposed sale, which includes air-to-air missiles, approximately 50 F-15 fighter jets, and Joint Direct Attack Munition kits, has proceeded despite calls from top Democrats on foreign affairs committees.
HOW ISRAEL IS REACTING TO US WITHHOLDING WEAPONS

CBO projects federal budget deficit near $2 trillion in 2024
The Congressional Budget Office (CBO) has revised its fiscal year 2024 federal budget deficit projection to $1.9 trillion, marking a substantial increase of $400 billion from earlier estimates. This adjustment represents a 27% rise in the deficit forecast, attributed to factors such as increased Medicaid spending, the fallout from the 2023 banking crises, and the passage of a $95 billion aid package for Ukraine, Israel, and the Indo-Pacific region in April.
SEE WHAT COSTS ARE CAUSING THE DEFICIT TO EXPLODE

Social Security warns of scammers using $600 hike as bait
The Social Security Administration issued a warning about misinformation spreading online, falsely claiming that Social Security recipients will receive a $600 payment increase or a new stimulus check this month. Social Security Commissioner Martin O'Malley emphasized in a news release that these reports are entirely false. The federal government cautioned Americans to verify information about their Social Security payments carefully.
GET STRAIGHT ANSWER ON SOCIAL SECURITY INCREASES

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Markets

DJIA	38,834.86	0.15%
S&P 500	5,487.03	0.25%
Nasdaq Composite	17,862.23	0.03%
Japan: Nikkei 225	38,570.76	0.23%
UK: FTSE 100	8,205.11	0.17%
Crude Oil Futures	81.30	-0.33%
Gold Futures	2,342.90	-0.17%
Yen	157.96	-0.08%
Euro	1.07	0.03%
* As of market close

Victims' families call for $24.8B Boeing fine

Relatives of the victims of two Boeing 737 Max crashes are urging the U.S. government to impose a $24.8 billion fine on Boeing and reinstate a criminal charge that was dropped three years ago. The families' attorney, Paul Cassell, argues that the significant penalty is warranted due to what he calls the "deadliest corporate crime in U.S. history." The crashes in question claimed 346 lives and were linked to flaws in the flight control software, prompting a 20-month grounding of the Max fleet.

WHY FAMILIES BELIEVE BOEING SHOULD FACE MASSIVE FINE

Musk defends free speech amid ad fallout

Elon Musk revisited his contentious remarks towards advertisers on Wednesday, clarifying his stance during a conversation at the Cannes Lions advertising festival. Last November, Musk had lashed out, telling advertisers after several paused their spending on his platform X, citing concerns over ad placement next to controversial content. The billionaire tech entrepreneur contended that some advertisers had been "insisting on censorship," prompting his fiery response last year.

SEE WHY APPLE AND DISNEY OPPOSED MUSK'S COMMENTS

Putin, Kim sign Russia-North Korean pact

Russian President Vladimir Putin and North Korean leader Kim Jong Un have solidified their countries' strategic partnership by signing an agreement to provide mutual assistance in the event of aggression against either nation. This pact was finalized during Putin's official visit to Pyongyang on Wednesday, marking his first trip to North Korea in 24 years. The leaders discussed various aspects of trade and economics, as both countries face Western sanctions and conflict with the U.S.

WHY THE MEETING MAY BE BAD NEWS FOR THE US AND CHINA

Extra point

Name the first woman to fly solo around the world on this date in 1966?

Tuesday's answer: Dwight Eisenhower was the first president to appear in a TV campaign ad, airing "Eisenhower Answers America" in the 1950s.

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