February 21 top stories
It is February 21. Here are today’s top stories.
Supreme Court case on Google & big tech
The Supreme Court heard arguments in a case today called Gonzalez v. Google. The family of Nohemi Gonzalez, who was one of those who were killed in the 2015 ISIS attack in Paris, sued Google with the allegation that their YouTube platform’s algorithm “recommended” radical and pro-ISIS videos to others and brainwashed others to commit murders.
News analysts explained that a US law, called Section 230 of the Communications Decency Act, provides protection to social media companies from what people post on it and allows social media companies to moderate its content.
The Gonzalez family wants to be able to sue Google/YouTube, but whether they can actually do this is the question before the Supreme Court.
Reporters who observed the arguments said most justices seemed to be concerned that if they allowed social media companies and websites to be sued for their automatic recommendations, it would cause a wave of lawsuits and disruption to the internet.
News analysts said the Supreme Court’s decision could have a major impact on the internet and social media companies. The court usually issues its decisions in June.
EPA orders train company to clean up toxic spill
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has ordered the company behind the freight train that derailed in East Palestine, Ohio and spilled toxic chemicals into the environment and the air over two weeks ago to clean up the mess and pay for it. The company is named Norfolk Southern.
Residents near the derailment site said they are concerned about rashes, headaches, nausea, and other symptoms appearing in their community. The state of Ohio opened a new health clinic to focus on these health issues. The EPA said the air and water in the area are safe and would continue to monitor the air and water. Some residents have criticized the federal and state governments for not doing enough to make sure residents are safe.
Norfolk Southern said they have removed about 15,000 pounds of soil and 1.1 million gallons of water from the area so far because of contamination.
Massive winter storm may impact 22 states
CBS News said “a massive winter storm is expected to bring heavy snow and a torrent of rain to most of the northern United States this week.” 22 states will be under various winter weather alerts. Parts of Minnesota may get about 20 inches of snow. Salt Lake City may get a foot of snow. The Great Lakes region may get icy conditions. In a strange reversal, some areas in the east and southeast may face hot weather. It may be 80 degrees in D.C. New Orleans may get 83 degrees. So wherever you are, it would be good to check the weather forecast for the next few days so you can be better prepared for what’s coming.
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L.A. Bishop murdered; suspect arrested
In Los Angeles, a 69-year-old Catholic bishop named David O’Connell was found dead in a home with a gunshot wound to his upper body. Police have arrested a murder suspect named Carlos Medina. He is the husband of the bishop’s housekeeper and worked as a handyman.
Police said they got a tip that Medina was acting strangely and accused the bishop of owing him money and noticed that he had an SUV that was similar to an SUV that pulled up in the bishop’s driveway before he was killed.
ABC News said O’Connell was born in Ireland and started serving in Los Angeles in 1979.
There were several members of the local Catholic community went to the bishop’s home to pray and express their condolences.
Update from Türkiye & Syria
There was a new earthquake that hit southern Türkiye last night. Al Jazeera reported that “fear and panic caused the most injuries” because of stampedes, panicking and even jumping off buildings. Many people are very traumatized by the devastating earthquakes that killed over 46,000 people on February 6. Several suffered heart attacks due to fear.
So far, it doesn’t seem like yesterday’s earthquake caused many casualties on the scale of the February 6 earthquakes. But at least six people were killed and there are reports of “many buildings'' collapsing in Syria.
BBC reported that almost 300 people were injured in Türkiye.
Putin suspending US-Russia nuclear treaty
Russian President Putin gave an address yesterday in Moscow. He said he would be suspending a nuclear arms treaty with the US called “New START.” The treaty is aimed at limiting the long-range nuclear weapons programs of the US and Russia.
Putin talked about the war in Ukraine and said they had to invade their neighbor because the West was threatening Russia. Putin said, “it is they who have started the war.”
President Biden gave an address in Poland after visiting Ukraine on Monday. Biden said Ukraine remains free and it will never be a victory for Russia.
That is all the top stories for today. See you tomorrow and stay with the light.
https://abcnews.go.com/US/peacemaker-bishop-shot-killed-los-angeles/story
https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-64711228
https://www.axios.com/2023/02/21/putin-russia-ukraine-war-address-new-start-nuclear
https://www.axios.com/2023/02/21/biden-poland-speech-russia-ukraine-war
https://www.cnn.com/business/live-news/supreme-court-gonzalez-v-google-2-21-23/index.html
https://www.washingtonpost.com/technology/2023/02/18/gonzalez-google-lawsuit-supreme-court/
https://www.cnn.com/2023/02/21/us/ohio-train-derailment-east-palestine-tuesday/index.html
https://www.cbsnews.com/news/massive-winter-storm-millions-brace-snow-rain-22-states-weather-alerts/