by Lowell
Here are a few international, national and Virginia news headlines, political and otherwise, for Thursday, January 16.
- Economic growth could fall 50% over 20 years from climate shocks, say actuaries (“Exclusive: Report by risk experts says previous assessments ignored severe effects of climate crisis”)
- Climate ‘whiplash’ events increasing exponentially around world (“Global heating means atmosphere can drive both extreme droughts and floods with rapid switches”)
- ‘Virtually Any City on Earth Can Burn Now’ (“In the superheated 21st century, the old rules for wildfires no longer apply. John Vaillant, author of “Fire Weather,” explains.”)
- Trump wants a quick end to the Ukraine war. That’s a tall order
- ‘Their human resources are unlimited’: Russia’s advances signal bleak spring for Ukrainians
- Russia-Ukraine war live: Kyiv forces attempt to shoot down drone as Starmer visits Ukraine to sign ‘100-year deal’
- Biden on if Trump will get credit over him for ceasefire deal: ‘Is that a joke?’
- After the Gaza ceasefire, getting serious about peace
- Israel and Hamas agree to ceasefire deal, including hostage release, Biden says
- Hostage families are celebrating the cease-fire deal — with a dose of trepidation.
- How two feuding presidents combined to get a Gaza deal (Horrendous headline – it’s not a “feud,” that’s a totally f’ed-up/false equivalence framing.)
- Netanyahu says ‘last minute crisis’ with Hamas holding up approval of Gaza truce and hostage deal
- Bowen: Long-overdue ceasefire may stop the killing but won’t end the conflict (“The truce should get Israeli hostages and Palestinian prisoners home, but the conflict remains as bitter as ever.”)
- Israel Accuses Hamas of Putting Gaza Ceasefire Deal at Risk
- Gaza Ceasefire Brings Fragile Reprieve After 15-Month Conflict
- Israel delays vote on Gaza deal, saying Hamas has reneged on parts
- The devastating impact of 15 months of war on Gaza
- This Gaza ceasefire deal is a fragile thing, beset by strongman egos. But it is our best hope yet
- The Shock of a Gaza Ceasefire Deal (“In Israel, grief and frustration about a long, brutal war is mixed with joy that some hostages may soon return.”)
- What’s in the Gaza ceasefire deal? And can it last?
- Months of Geopolitical Upheaval Paved Way for Gaza Cease-Fire
- Deportation at ‘light speed’: How Trump’s crackdown could unfold
- Joe Biden Issues Dire Warning In His Farewell Speech To America (“Today an oligarchy is taking shape in America that literally threatens our democracy, our basic rights, our freedoms”)
- Biden Slams Tech Platforms Such As Facebook And X For Kowtowing To Trump
- Biden Cites Threat From ‘Extreme Wealth’ in Farewell Address
- In farewell speech to nation, Biden warns of threat of ‘extreme wealth, power and influence’
- As Biden exits the stage, Democrats are uncharacteristically quiet
- Trump assembles an administration of uber-wealthy Cabinet members and advisers, sparking ethics questions
- Trump Is Walking Back His Biggest Campaign Promises Before Taking Office
- Exclusive: Trump team asks three US senior career diplomats to resign, sources say
- Trump considers executive order hoping to ‘save TikTok’ from ban or sale in U.S. law
- Biden administration looks for ways to keep TikTok available in the U.S. (“Barring action by the Supreme Court, a ban in the U.S. on the popular app is set to begin on Sunday.”)
- The Supreme Court seems eager to curb First Amendment protections for porn
- AG pick Bondi says no ‘enemies list,’ won’t rule out probes of Trump foes
- How Trump’s Return Is Pushing the Media to Self-Censor
- White House Reporters Fear a Return of Fire and Fury
- Pete Hegseth’s confirmation hearing highlights Republicans’ servility to Trump
- Scott Bessent’s funny math would make his GOP predecessors blush
- Trump’s pick for energy secretary rejects linking climate change and wildfires (There appears to be little if any doubt among scientists that there IS a link.)
- Trump Unveils His White House Blacklist
- Democrats Call On Merrick Garland To Preserve Records On Trump Prosecutions
- Johnson Ousts Turner as Intelligence Chairman, Bowing to Trump (That does NOT bode well.)
- Johnson removes Mike Turner as House Intelligence chair
- Former Presidents Obama, Clinton and Bush won’t attend Trump’s inaugural lunch (Biden shouldn’t attend either. In fact, no Democrat should attend the lunch OR the inauguration.)
- ‘Everything’s on the table’: Jordan mulls calling Jack Smith to Judiciary (Jordan is a scumbag and fascist.)
- Trump encourages Vivek Ramaswamy to seek Ohio’s open Senate seat
- Rep. Byron Donalds makes his move ahead of expected 2026 Florida gubernatorial bid (Far-right extremist/nutjob.)
- Meta’s pivot to the right sparks boycotts and a user exodus
- Meta’s Threads Was Supposed to Be Better Than Twitter. Then Zuckerberg Changed His Mind. (“His emulation of Elon Musk and Twitter is alienating the very users Threads was built to attract.”)
- Zuckerberg Will Host a Party for Trump’s Inauguration
- Tech billionaires expose MAGA’s “populism” con job
- Apple’s Tim Cook Plans to Join Tech CEOs at Trump’s Inauguration
- The MAGA Mosquito Out for Elon Musk’s Blood (“Steve Bannon is making his hatred of the “technofeudalists” loud and clear. His reasons are existential.”)
- Jeff Bezos’ Blue Origin launches massive New Glenn rocket on first test flight and reaches orbit
- Stacey Abrams group to pay largest fine for campaign violations in Georgia history
- For LA water issues, misinformation spreads nearly as fast as the wildfires
- Ken Martin gets another endorsement in DNC race as James Skoufis drops out
- Former Bernie Sanders campaign manager Faiz Shakir jumps into race for DNC chair
- Will Lewis’s first year at ‘Washington Post’: Cancellations, red ink and an exodus
- Virginia’s Congressional Democrats Applaud the Biden Administration for Having “worked tirelessly to reach this [Israel-Gaza ceasefire] agreement” (“I join all those who hope this agreement can set the stage for lasting peace and security in the region.” – Rep. Gerry Connolly (D-VA11))
- Democratic Senators Say a Campaign Treasurer Stole Their Money (“Tim Kaine and Mark Warner suspect their former treasurer misappropriated funds from their political committees”)
- Video: Sen. Mark Warner Tells Trump’s CIA Director Nominee John Ratcliffe He Must “reassure the men and women of the CIA that they need not fear reprisal for speaking truth to power” (Warner also demands tha Ratcliffe “will not ask [CIA] employees to place loyalty [to] a political figure above loyalty to country.”)
- Sen. Tim Kaine: “While we do not agree on everything, I’m proud to support [Marco Rubio’s] nomination” as Secretary of State (“I’m particularly optimistic that Marco will prioritize constructive engagement in the Americas”)
- 2H24 Fundraising Leaders for Virginia Statewide, Other Offices
- A look at the top donors to the Spanberger and Sears gubernatorial campaigns
- Piedmont Environmental Council on New Virginia Data Center Legislation: “Now is the time for action. Without state oversight and increased local disclosures, we are headed for a catastrophic collision of unprecedented energy demand and a shortage of generation capacity”
- Gun violence prevention advocates flock to Richmond, with some support from Spanberger
- Alongside State Lawmakers and Former Congresswoman Abigail Spanberger, Virginia Moms Demand Action and Students Demand Action Volunteers Advocate for Continued Progress on Gun Safety
- Schapiro: Youngkin’s silence speaks volumes
- Virginia GOP leaders call for ban on trans women in women’s sports
- Virginia Republicans back additional regulations for transgender student athletes
- Youngkin, GOP lawmakers push for transgender sports ban
- Virginia attorney general petitions court to enforce order against American Muslims for Palestine (“Jason Miyares says AMP refuses to comply with demand for financial documents to scrutinize possible ties to terror”)
- Miyares tells Va. Chamber members they are ‘poverty destroyers’
- A Virginia law to protect pedestrians has almost never been used
- Legislation to boost healthcare services for Va. students moves forward
- A potential casino in NOVA is already a divisive topic
- Fairfax Co. leaders asking VDOT to explain its response to last week’s snow
- Editorial: ‘Life in Hampton Roads’ survey provides region’s policymakers food for thought
- Youngkin gives green light for new state building in downtown Richmond
- Richmond’s Director of Public Utilities has resigned
- Mayor: DPU director’s resignation was voluntary, ‘amicable’
- Richmond replaces utility director as Youngkin, Avula probe water outage
- Commentary: Stop taking RVA’s water – and restaurants – for granted
- Schmitt elected chair of Henrico supervisors
- April DeMotts selected as Montgomery County Board of Supervisors chairwoman
- CWG Live updates: Snow showers possible today. Coldest air of the season on the way. (“After a chance or rain showers on Saturday and snow showers on Sunday, the next Arctic front blasts us with frigid air much of next week.”)
