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Hurricane Beryl, ‘Extremely Dangerous’ Category 4 Storm, Threatens Caribbean Islands (Maria)
The authors write, “Hurricane Beryl grew into an ‘extremely dangerous Category 4 hurricane’ on Sunday, the National Hurricane Center said, making it the first ever Atlantic hurricane to reach Category 4 strength in June. The upgraded status came just hours before Beryl was expected to make landfall along several Caribbean nations early Monday morning. Previously, the record for the earliest Atlantic hurricane during the calendar year was held by Hurricane Dennis on July 8, 2005, Colorado State University meteorologist Phil Klotzbach said in a post on X.”
Top Aides Shielded Biden From Staff, But Couldn’t Hide the Debate (Dana)
The author writes, “Joe Biden’s close aides have carefully shielded him from people inside and outside the White House since the beginning of his presidency. Why it matters: The intermittent access has resulted in many current and former White House aides being shocked at the 81-year-old president’s limitations at the debate Thursday night. Driving the news: Current and former White House aides are feeling whiplash — and now questioning whether Biden could fulfill a second term.”
What Moscow, Beijing and Delhi Think of Biden vs Trump Rematch (Sean)
From the BBC: “When Americans choose their next president, the contest is always closely watched around the world. There are countless ways US foreign policy — and the actions of the White House — has an impact on different parts of the globe. … But it’s not just in Ukraine, Israel and Gaza that this election matters. Eight of the BBC’s foreign correspondents explain why this election rematch is making waves where they are.”
Tennessee Election Officials Asking More Than 14,000 Voters To Prove Citizenship (Reader Steve)
The authors write, “Tennessee’s top election office has sent letters to more than 14,000 registered voters asking them to prove their citizenship, a move that alarmed voting rights advocates as possible intimidation. The letters, dated June 13, warned that it is illegal in Tennessee for noncitizens to vote and provided instructions on how to update voter information. The list was developed after comparing voter rolls with data from the state Department of Safety and Homeland Security, said Doug Kufner, spokesperson for the Secretary of State’s office.”
How Small Claims Court Became Meta’s Customer Service Hotline (Reader Jim)
From Engadget: “Engadget spoke with five individuals who have sued Meta in small claims court over the last two years in four different states. In three cases, the plaintiffs were able to restore access to at least one lost account. One person was also able to win financial damages and another reached a cash settlement. Two cases were dismissed. In every case, the plaintiffs were at least able to get the attention of Meta’s legal team, which appears to have something of a playbook for handling these claims.”
The Ravages and Operations of the Locusts (Dana)
From History News Network: “For the first time in 221 years, the periodical cicada broods XIII and XIX have emerged from the ground simultaneously; brood XIII in the north central Midwest and XIX across the southern U.S., from the Mississippi River to the Atlantic Ocean. An estimated one trillion cicadas are making themselves heard across the United States, their buzz crescendoing to about 100 decibels — over the threshold of what is considered harmful to a person’s hearing. These two cicada broods won’t overlap again until 2245. Stories about ‘swarmageddon’ frequently mention this spectacle last happened when Thomas Jefferson was president in 1803, which makes one wonder how the insects were received last time they visited en masse.”
