Daily Briefing: What the UFO whistleblower said
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House lawmakers convened an explosive hearing as bipartisan pressure mounts for more transparency regarding UFOs. Also in the news: A federal judge refused to accept a plea agreement with Hunter Biden after an unexpected disagreement about the terms. The USWNT held their ground against the Netherlands following a smashing header score.
🙋🏼♀️ I'm Nicole Fallert, Daily Briefing author. What are your top five Taylor Swift Eras?
Now, here we go with Thursday's news.
Witnesses call for increased military transparency on UFOs
The Pentagon denied claims made by a former Air Force intelligence officer that the U.S. is concealing a longstanding program that retrieves and reverse engineers unidentified flying objects. In his highly-anticipated testimony Wednesday before Congress, David Grusch said that the U.S. likely has been aware of “nonhuman” activity since the 1930s. Grusch and two other witnesses provided the House Oversight Committee's national security subcommittee with over three hours of insight into their understanding of how the federal government has handled or suppressed reports of strange encounters documented by pilots. Read more
Judge targets Hunter Biden agreement
Hunter Biden's plan to enter a guilty plea as part of a deal with federal investigators suffered a stunning collapse on Wednesday after a three-hour hearing that saw his defense team and prosecutors tussle in open court about the terms of the agreement.
Biden walked into a federal court in Delaware ready to accept a controversial plea deal for a pair of misdemeanor tax charges, which would avoid a gun case that carries a maximum penalty of 10 years in prison.
Within minutes, the plan started to unravel with the presiding judge grilling both sides and ultimately refusing to accept the Justice Department's terms with President Joe Biden's youngest son.
As a result, Hunter Biden pleaded not guilty and the legal snag gives Joe Biden's opponents more ammunition related to the saga.
U.S. District Judge Maryellen Noreika told lawyers she wanted more time to review the proposal: "You all are telling me 'just rubber stamp the agreement, Your Honor."
More news to know now
''Second wave has begun'': Ukraine makes a push for southern province.
''UnIslamic services'': The Taliban is closing beauty salons in Afghanistan despite public protest.
Kevin Spacey has been acquitted of all 9 sexual assault charges by jury in UK trial.
Officials have suspended the search for a baby lost in a Pennsylvania flash flood.
On today's 5 Things podcast, Rudy Giuliani concedes he made false statements about two Georgia election workers. Listen on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or your smart speaker.
What's the weather today? Check your local forecast here.
USWNT salvages World Cup victory against the Netherlands
U.S. captain Lindsey Horan scored on a thunderous header after a collision with Lyon teammate Danielle van de Donk on Thursday, salvaging a 1-1 draw with the Netherlands and keeping the U.S. women’s national team's hopes of winning Group E alive. The Americans appeared disorganized and tentative, showing none of the cohesion they had to start the game. But a hard tackle by van de Donk early in the second half changed everything. Horan was still complaining to the referee about it when Rose Lavalle lined up to take a corner kick. Horan tracked it the whole way and outmuscled several Dutch defenders before burying it with a thunderous header. Read more
How Alex Morgan grew from USWNT rising star to powerful advocate and disruptor.
Amid hazing scandal, Northwestern University's AD's book draws scrutiny over his views on women.
Fed raises interest rates 0.25 point, opens door to another hike
Despite a recent pullback in inflation, the Federal Reserve raised its key interest rate by a quarter point Wednesday and signaled another hike is at least on the table, if not likely, in coming months amid a solid economy. The move nudged the federal funds rate to a range of 5.25% to 5.5%, the highest level in 22 years. The Fed repeated that lowering inflation to its 2% target will hinge on inflation as well as economic and financial developments, among other factors. That suggests another rate increase is likely in September or November, Barclays wrote in a note to clients last week. Read more
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UPS deal with Teamsters union is a victory for labor across the board. Here's why.
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Scores of pilot whales dead in mass stranding in Australia
The last of nearly 100 whales that beached on the southwest Australian coast have been euthanized after a second day of frantic, but unsuccessful efforts to rescue them. The pod of long-finned pilot whales stranded themselves Tuesday on Cheynes Beach in Western Australia, south of the state capital Perth. Despite the efforts of wildlife officers and volunteers, 52 stranded whales died on the beach. Authorities say the remaining 45 were euthanized Wednesday after efforts to lead them to deeper water failed. Wildlife experts said the unusual behavior could be an indicator of stress or illness within the pod, The Associated Press reported. Read more
Quick hits
A missing Glendale teen, Alicia Navarro, was reunited with her family after four years.
A new app allows you to access books banned in your area: What to know about the Banned Book Club.
Need extra money? Poll workers are in demand and getting a pay raise before the 2024 election.
Alpha Phi Alpha, the oldest Black fraternity, is moving its convention from Florida due to the state's ''hostile'' policies.
School safety essentials to give college students — and parents — peace of mind.
Photo of the day: Remembering Sinéad O'Connor, acclaimed and controversial Irish musician
Sinéad O’Connor, the trailblazing Irish artist and “Nothing Compares 2 U” hitmaker, has died, according to a family statement obtained by the BBC. She was 56. O’Connor released her debut album, “The Lion and the Cobra” in 1987, and three years later, shot to worldwide fame with her sophomore effort “I Do Not Want What I Haven’t Got.” The album was bolstered by lead single “Nothing Compares 2 U,” an aching cover of Prince’s 1985 song. Read more about O'Connor's outspoken and nonconformist life and legacy.
Nicole Fallert is a newsletter writer at USA TODAY, sign up for the email here. Want to send Nicole a note? Shoot her an email at NFallert@usatoday.com or follow along with her musings on Twitter. Support journalism like this – subscribe to USA TODAY here.
Associated Press contributed reporting.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: UFO, Hunter Biden, USWNT, World Cup, interest rates, whales, Sinead O'Connor: Daily Briefing
