However you get your news, here are a few stories that stood out in local, state, federal and international news.
“The plant, developed by researchers at Tsinghua University, represents a major leap forward in nuclear energy safety.”
“Traditional nuclear plants face the risk of meltdown due to the extreme heat generated that poses substantial risks if not properly managed. If cooling systems in these plants fail, the reactors can overheat, potentially leading to explosions and the release of dangerous radiation.”
“The new Chinese plant uses an innovative design called a "pebble-bed reactor” to mitigate the risk of meltdown.”
“Unlike most reactors that use water to cool down, it uses helium gas, which can handle much higher temperatures.”
“Instead of large fuel rods, it uses small, billiard-ball-sized graphite spheres filled with tiny uranium fuel particles. These spheres are provided by the German company SGL Group and are highly resistant to heat.”
“The materials used in this reactor can withstand temperatures up to 950 degrees Celsius without melting.”
“The plant’s twin reactors, which have been in development since 2016, can each generate 105 megawatts of power.”
“The new Chinese design cannot be adapted to existing nuclear reactors, but it can serve as a blueprint to make future power plants safer.”
Two Billionaires Donate to Vice President Harris’ Campaign – With a Request to Oust the FTC Chair
The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) is tasked with protecting American consumers.
Reid Hoffman, the founder of LinkedIn, and Barry Diller, founder of the Fox Broadcasting Company, donated to Vice President Harris’ campaign.
Hoffman has already donated $7 Million, while “Diller said that he will ‘donate the maximum’ to the Harris campaign.”
Both have called publicly for Lina Khan, the current Chair of the FTC, to step down.
“[Hoffman] is currently a board member at Microsoft which saw the [FTC] challenge its $69 billion acquisition of gaming company Activision Blizzard, a deal that ultimately went ahead after a court rejected the FTC's challenge, although the FTC’s appeal is pending.”
Khan has reportedly blocked 19 mergers that would have more than likely increased prices for consumers and/or resulted in layoffs.
This decision comes on the heels of the “Supreme Court ruling allowing cities to enforce bans on sleeping outside in public spaces.”
“This executive order directs state agencies “to move urgently to address dangerous encampments while supporting and assisting the individuals living in them.” It also provides guidance for cities and counties to do the same, which applies pressure on them, though they are not legally bound to the order.”
“California is home to roughly one-third of the nation’s population of homeless people.”
“Officials should give ‘reasonable’ advance notice to homeless people, offer to connect them to local services and help store their belongings for at least 60 days.”
“Homeless people and advocates say the sweeps are cruel and a waste of taxpayer money. They say the answer is more housing, not crackdowns.”
By a slim victory, “a ballot measure to allow the state to borrow nearly $6.4 billion to build 4,350 housing units,” passed in California.
The Olympics Begin
Officially known as The Games of the 33rd Olympiad, 206 nations will compete for glory and national pride.
Of the 10,714 athletes participating, 592 are from the United States, the most of any participating nation.
If you haven’t, I would strongly recommend watching the opening ceremony presentation, available on Peacock.
Stock Trading Ban and Online Child Protection Legislation on The Docket
Senator Jon Ossoff (D-GA) introduced a bipartisan bill that would effectively ban stock trading amongst Congress people.
The bill “requires each Member of Congress to divest or place in a blind trust any specified investment owned by the Member, the Member's spouse, or a dependent of the Member. This requirement applies for the entire period of a Member's service in Congress and for 180 days after that service ceases.”
“A Member of Congress who does not comply with the bill's requirements is subject to a fine equal to the Member's monthly congressional salary. The fine must be assessed 30 days after notice of the violation is issued and at least every subsequent 30 days.”
The bill is currently in committee, and has yet to come up for a vote.
Also in the Senate, two joint bills were passed by a vote of 86-1. “The Children and Teens’ Online Privacy Protection Act would ban targeted ads to minors, prohibit companies from collecting personal information on users under the age of 17, and allow users to erase personal information collected on them.” In addition, “The Kids Online Safety Act would prevent social media platforms from exposing children to content that promotes drugs and alcohol or exacerbates mental health issues such as eating disorders, anxiety, depression and suicide. It would also mandate that platforms enable the strongest privacy settings for kids.”
Senator Rand Paul (R-KY) was the lone senator to vote against.
The measure could receive a vote on final passage next week in the House of Representatives.
Source: The ‘Word For Word’ e-newsletter, covering the weekly happenings at the federal level.
Just So You Know…
Members of the House of Representatives have left D.C. a week early for its full-month August recess. Members next return for votes on Sept. 9.
What would you do with a full month off, not including PTO?
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