Officials reported human remains have been recovered from the Titan submarine debris, and the artificial sweetener found in your diet sodas will soon be labeled as a potential cancer risk. These stories and more highlight the rundown for Thursday, June 29, 2023.
Human remains likely recovered from Titan debris
The Coast Guard announced on Wednesday, June 28 that human remains have likely been recovered from the debris of the submarine that captured the world’s attention when it imploded underwater last week. According to the Coast Guard, the presumed human remains, along with other submarine debris, will be brought to the U.S.
Once there, medical professionals will conduct a formal analysis. This is vital to figuring out exactly why the submersible imploded.
The debris was discovered over 12,000 feet underwater and about 1,600 feet away from the Titanic wreckage site the submersible was attempting to reach.
Trump favorability dips after indictment
According to the latest Associated Press poll, former President Donald Trump is still favored by the majority of Republicans. However, support has slipped in the wake of recent legal woes.
60% of Republicans said have a favorable view of Trump. 38% said they are not in favor of the former president running again.
These numbers have changed slightly since April, when 68% of Republicans polled were in favor of Trump and 30% disapproved of a second campaign.
Those numbers are just from Republicans polled. The timing of the dip in polling suggests some Republicans could have changed their stance on their party’s leading candidate after he became the first former president to be indicted on federal criminal charges.
Overall, 63% of Americans said they have an unfavorable view of Trump.
Powell: two or more rate hikes to come
Federal Reserve chair Jerome Powell has hinted again toward multiple interest rate hikes in the near future, with most policymakers predicting at least two rate hikes still to come in 2023. June was the first month in 11 the Federal Reserve left the interest rate alone.
The pause on rate hikes could be short-lived. The Fed has a target goal of a 2% inflation rate. May’s consumer price inflation was at 4% year over year.
Amtrak with 198 passengers derails in California
An Amtrak train carrying nearly 200 passengers derailed in southern California Wednesday, after the train collided with a county water truck. The driver of the truck was critically injured and transported to a trauma center.
16 passengers were injured, with no serious injuries reported. Of the train’s seven cars, three of them came off the tracks but stayed upright.
It’s unknown why the county truck was parked on the tracks. An investigation is ongoing.
Judge decides to let 12-week abortion ban stand
North Carolina lawmakers tweaked the state’s new abortion law a day before a judge reviewed whether the law can go into effect July 1, or whether it would be on hold until legal challenges play out in court. The judge said she will allow the 12-week ban featured in the law to go into effect.
Planned Parenthood and a physician sued the state to try and stop the ban from taking place. The judge is still reviewing whether to place a temporary restraining order on other portions of the law.
Aspartame to be declared possible carcinogen
One of the world’s most common artificial sweeteners is set to be declared a potential cancer risk by the World Health Organization (WHO). Aspartame is an artificial sweetener found in diet sodas, Snapple drinks, certain chewing gum brands, ice cream, cereals and a number of sugar-free food products.
The WHO is expected to deem aspartame a possible carcinogen, in July. However, the WHO’s cancer research agency stated that a person would have to drink a 12-pack of diet soda daily to be at risk.
