February 28 top stories
It is February 28. Here are today’s top stories.
Supreme Court on student loan forgiveness
The Supreme Court heard arguments on President Biden’s plan to forgive up to $20,000 in student loan debts. A group of Republican-led states and a conservative group filed lawsuits seeking to stop the plan, saying Biden overstepped his authority and that they did not seek public input.
Analysts said Biden’s plan might cost the U.S. about $400 billion over 30 years.
About 26 million people have already applied for student loan debt forgiveness. Student loan repayments are currently on pause through June 30. June is typically when the Supreme Court issues its decisions. Millions of Americans are hoping the Supreme Court will allow Biden to forgive student loan debts.
Florida Gov. DeSantis takes over Disney district
Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis (R) signed a bill that gives him control of the special district where Walt Disney World is in.
The governor became aggressive against Disney after the company opposed the “Don’t Say Gay” law that aims to ban elementary classroom discussion of LGBTQ-related topics in kindergarten through third grade.
Disney has, for decades, had unique privileges to self-govern its large piece of land in the Orlando area. Now that is gone and DeSantis will appoint a five-member board to oversee government services.
65 dead in migrant boat wreck
On Sunday in southern Italy, a wooden boat that was packed about 170 migrants, including children, from Afghanistan, Pakistan, Syria, and Iraq broke up in rough waters. At least 65 people, including 14 children, died. Emergency crews have recovered bodies and saw boat pieces washed up on the shore.
The boat was about 20 feet long, which is very small considering the dangerous waters and the number of people on the boat. There are 80 survivors and there are many missing and feared dead.
AP said first responders and survivors were devastated and traumatized.
Italian authorities said they saw the migrant boat when it was approaching Italy, but they didn’t help because of bad weather. There is criticism against Italian authorities for not doing more.
AP reported that three people were detained on suspicion they helped to organize the trip from Türkiye, charging the equivalent of $8,500 USD for each person to take them to Italy.
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Actor Tom Sizemore may be near death
Actor Tom Sizemore, who is known for his roles in various crime and war movies in the 90s and 2000s, suffered a brain aneurysm earlier this month and has been in a coma in intensive care.
AP reported that Sizemore’s family was informed by doctors that there is no hope for recovery and have recommended they make an “end-of-life decision.” Sizemore is 61 years old.
The family may make an announcement on Wednesday.
Murdoch: Fox hosts endorsed Trump’s election falsehoods
Rupert Murdoch, who owns Fox News, said in a sworn statement that several Fox News hosts endorsed Donald Trump’s falsehoods that the 2020 election was stolen. Murdoch said the hosts were Sean Hannity, Jeanine Pirro, Lou Dobbs and Maria Bartiromo. Murdoch said he wishes that Fox News was stronger in declaring that the claims were wrong.
Murdoch made the remarks during a deposition in response to a $1.6 billion lawsuit from Dominion Voting Systems. The voting company is alleging that top staff at Fox News knew that Trump’s claims of voter fraud were false but still broadcast it to keep up their ratings and profits.
There will be a monthlong trial in Delaware beginning in April on whether Fox News defamed Dominion. Fox News has denied wrongdoing, saying its hosts informed their audiences that Trump’s allegations were just allegations that would need to be proven in court. It’s a battle.
Several drones attack Russia
USA Today reported that a “flurry of drone attacks targeted regions inside Russia — with one drone crashing just 60 miles from Moscow.” Russian President Putin has ordered a tightening of the control of its border with Ukraine after the attacks.
The news report said Ukraine authorities did not claim responsibility for the attacks but have said they do have the right to carry out these attacks to stop Russia’s aggression.
The drone attacks may have been targeting energy facilities.
In separate news, BBC reported that Ukrainian President Zelenskyy said there is heavy fighting in the city of Bakhumt, which is on the eastern frontline of Ukraine. Russian jets are flying over the city and its troops are gaining ground. Ukrainian troops are fighting back and Zelenskyy said he needs aid in the form of combat aircraft.
That is all the top stories for today. See you tomorrow and stay with the light.
https://apnews.com/article/italy-migrant-deaths-119648644c6bb4ad6b2a3120c5c172b0
https://apnews.com/article/italy-migrant-shipwreck-smugglers-8975494dcdfd1dc4ca8727fa81484577
https://www.axios.com/2023/02/27/biden-student-loan-forgiveness-supreme-court
https://www.wmtw.com/article/tom-sizemore-family-end-of-life-matters/43119582
https://www.nytimes.com/2023/02/27/business/media/fox-news-dominion-rupert-murdoch.html
https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/world/2023/02/28/ukraine-russia-war-live-updates/11363991002/