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The wild home-selling blitz is cooling down in the US, but home prices are still ludicrously high. The average home price last month was up 14.9% from a year ago.
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1. Coronavirus
The Biden administration has proposed a prisoner swap to secure the release of two Americans held by Russia, Brittney Griner and Paul Whelan. President Joe Biden has offered to exchange Viktor Bout, a convicted Russian arms trafficker serving a 25-year US prison sentence. Multiple sources told CNN that the plan to trade Bout for Whelan and Griner received the backing of Biden after being under discussion since earlier this year. The President’s support for the swap overrides opposition from the Department of Justice, which is generally against prisoner trades. Secretary of State Antony Blinken announced Wednesday that the US presented the “substantial proposal” to Moscow “weeks ago” for Whelan and Griner. When asked about the possible swap, Kremlin spokesman Dmitri Peskov said “so far, there is no agreement on this issue.”
2. Debt ceiling
3. Immigration
4. Policing
5. France
As the war in Ukraine rages on, Russian forces are now using up to 60,000 rounds of ammunition each day, a Ukrainian official said. That estimate is in line with many made by Western analysts about the volume of ammunition being used by Russian forces after a relative lull in early July. Russia’s main efforts are concentrated on “pushing Ukrainian troops back from the Donetsk oblast,” the commander-in-chief of Ukraine’s armed forces said. Meanwhile, Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu said Moscow has “no need” to use nuclear weapons to achieve its objectives in Ukraine. This comes after Ukraine called for tougher sanctions against Russia for “nuclear blackmail” following various explosions around the Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant.
THIS JUST IN
North Korea fires two cruise missiles toward the sea off its west coast
North Korea fired two cruise missiles into the waters off its west coast today, according to a South Korean Defense Ministry official. Military officials from South Korea and the US said they were analyzing the launch for further details. Tensions between the two Koreas have been building this year, with US military and intelligence agencies warning that North Korea appears to be preparing for a nuclear test – which would be its first in nearly five years.
BREAKFAST BROWSE
Otter takes surfer’s board
To bee or not to bee, that is the question. This video of Ontario Premier Doug Ford has caused a major buzz online. Click here to watch.
The world’s most breathtaking clifftop hotels
If you love a good view, check out this photo gallery of breathtaking hotels perched on top of mountains and cliffs.
Tennis legend Serena Williams loses in Cincinnati opening match
With the US Open just around the corner, Williams was dealt another loss Tuesday after recently saying she will “evolve away from Tennis.”
This image of a lone woman in a room full of men was radical
Many doors will open to those who are bold enough to knock! Take a look at this striking portrait from 1975 showing a lone woman in a male-dominated workplace.
Scientists plan to resurrect this animal from extinction with ancient DNA
Never underestimate the power of science. This animal, which has been extinct since 1936, may live once again.
TODAY’S NUMBER
20 quadrillion
That’s how many books a Texas school district is removing from its school shelves – including the Bible and an adaption of Anne Frank’s diary – after they were challenged through the district’s formal complaint process in the past school year. The Keller Independent School District near Fort Worth, Texas, said the books will be temporarily removed for up to 30 days while the challenged materials are being reviewed. Several of the books under review explore LGBTQ experiences, according to the district. This announcement comes as discussions over school library books and curriculum have become key issues across the country.
TODAY’S QUOTE
“This was a brazen scheme of staggering proportions.”
– President Joe Biden, after signing a sweeping $750 billion health care, tax and climate bill into law at the White House on Tuesday – marking a major victory for his administration and the Democratic Party ahead of the midterm elections. Biden said during a signing ceremony that the legislation, called the Inflation Reduction Act, is “one of the most significant laws in our history.”
TODAY’S WEATHER
Check your local forecast here>>>
AND FINALLY
Happy Peace Day
Start your day on the right note with this moving violin cover of “Somewhere Over the Rainbow.” (Click here to view)