Trump’s FTC pick expected to stay tough on Big Tech but relax on mergers
President-elect Donald Trump has picked his competition cop. He’s appointing Andrew Ferguson as the next Federal Trade Commission chair, replacing antitrust firebrand Lina Khan.
In a post, Ferguson wrote, “…we will end Big Tech’s vendetta against competition and free speech.”
“Andrew has a proven record of standing up to Big Tech censorship, and protecting Freedom of Speech in our Great Country … [he] will be the most America First and pro-innovation FTC Chair in our Country’s History,” Trump posted.
Ferguson is already an FTC commissioner and sworn in earlier this year. That means he does not need confirmation to become the chair.
Before his time at the FTC, he was solicitor general in Virginia, a congressional aide, an antitrust litigator and once clerked for Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas.
Trump’s pick for Ferguson’s commissioner seat is Mark Meador, a former Senate antitrust aide. This will give Trump the conservative majority he’s looking for at the FTC and push Khan out the door.
“Her term expired in September, but she is allowed by law to remain on the commission until her successor is confirmed and comes to take office,” former FTC Chair William Kovacic explained. “So the speed with which she departs the commission will depend on her own personal preferences. Does she want to stay as part of a loyal opposition maintaining a three-vote block that could operate to retard the roll back of her program? On a personal level, it’s not enjoyable to go through that kind of demotion.”
Straight Arrow News interviewed Kovacic after the election about the direction Trump would take in antitrust enforcement.
“I think with respect to the Big Tech cases, those carry on without interference,” Kovacic said. “In other areas, he may back off some. I expect a more permissive approach towards mergers than the Biden enforcement agencies have taken, and that was one of the big irritants that even the Democratic donors expressed concern about, is that the deal-making environment has been made so much more difficult.”
Kovacic said, “without question,” Trump will relax merger enforcement.
Supermarket chain Albertsons announced Wednesday, Dec. 11, that it filed a lawsuit against Kroger. The suit comes after a district judge in Oregon blocked a $25 billion merger between the two companies.
Albertsons claims Kroger didn’t do what was necessary to get regulatory approval for the deal.
“Albertsons is seeking billions of dollars in damages from Kroger to make Albertsons and its shareholders whole,” the company said in a statement. “In addition to the $600 million termination fee, Albertsons is entitled to relief reflecting the multiple years and hundreds of millions of dollars it devoted to obtaining approval for the merger, along with the extended period of unnecessary limbo Albertsons endured as a result of Kroger’s actions.”
In October 2022, the two grocery giants agreed to what would have become the largest U.S. merger in supermarket history. If the deal had gone through, Kroger and Albertsons would have accounted for roughly 5,000 stores.
At the time, they said it would help them compete with Amazon and Walmart. Both companies have made big plays in the grocery store space.
But District Judge Adrienne Nelson said Tuesday, Dec. 10, the deal would harm customers. Nelson discounted the Amazon competition aspect, pointing out grocery stores have a specific role in the consumer landscape. She also said the merger’s impact on competition must not be underestimated.
“Kroger willfully breached the Merger Agreement in several key ways, including by repeatedly refusing to divest assets necessary for antitrust approval, ignoring regulators’ feedback, rejecting stronger divestiture buyers and failing to cooperate with Albertsons,” Albertsons said in the statement.
Kroger has yet to respond to the lawsuit publicly.
In terminating the deal, Albertsons CEO Vivek Sankaran says the company is ready for the next chapter.
“Over the last two years, we have invested in our core business and in new sources of revenue, while enhancing our capabilities through the rollout of new technologies,” he said in a statement.
As news of the lawsuit came out, both companies’ stocks opened trading up on Wednesday, Dec. 11.
The FTC had argued eliminating the head-to-head competition between Kroger and Albertsons would be illegal, and the U.S. district judge in Oregon agreed.
An FTC spokesperson said the ruling protected “competition in the grocery market, which will prevent grocery store prices from rising more.”
During the trial, Kroger argued that the merger would decrease prices for customers, saying increased revenue from a larger operation would trickle down to shoppers. The grocery store even made a public pledge to lower prices if the merger went through.
Lawyers for Kroger also claimed the companies needed the merger to compete with global brands like Walmart and Amazon.
However, grocery worker unions didn’t buy in, and they said the merger would lead to job losses.
Meanwhile, attorney generals in 10 states also came out against the marriage of the two companies, with some joining the FTC lawsuit against the merger, and others suing the grocery store chains.
Kroger and Albertsons did not immediately respond to the ruling, but the companies could still choose to litigate the issue in a separate case and court.
While Tuesday’s ruling is a win for the Biden administration’s tough antitrust stance, a former FTC chair previously told Straight Arrow News he expects the merger landscape will be less strict under President-elect Donald Trump.
If the deal somehow makes it through, nearly 600 stores would be added under Kroger’s banner, increasing its number of stores to around 5,000 across the U.S.
How Trump 2.0 could change the landscape of Big Tech antitrust
With two months until President-elect Donald Trump’s inauguration, his policy plans are clear in many areas. But what do the next four years of antitrust regulation look like after the Biden administration’s aggressive enforcement?
Unlike trade, immigration and energy policy, it’s not expected that Trump’s goal is to undo the previous administration’s work. And a lot has happened over the past four years. But when it comes to Big Tech, experts point out that there’s no love lost between Trump and Silicon Valley.
“It’s a sector he doesn’t particularly like,” former Federal Trade Commission Chair William Kovacic told Straight Arrow News. “So my general intuition is that in that area, he says, ‘Carry on.’”
When it comes to Khan, her term as chair and commissioner expired in September 2024.
“My instinct would be that on the day of the inauguration, that evening or the next day, President Trump will sign a letter that designates one of the two Republicans on the commission to be the chair, probably as acting chair,” Kovacic said.
Even after the incoming president replaces Khan as chair, she could remain a commissioner until her replacement clears the confirmation process.
“The speed with which she departs the commission will depend on her own personal preferences,” Kovacic said. “Does she want to stay as part of a loyal opposition, maintaining a three-vote bloc that could operate to retard a rollback of her program?”
Meanwhile, the Department of Justice recently won a landmark case against Google when a judge ruled it monopolized the search space. The government is now asking the judge to force Google to sell off Chrome as the most severe remedy. The DOJ started the case under Trump’s first administration.
In the specific case of Google, Kovacic doesn’t believe the Trump administration will stand in the way of any action.
“I think at a minimum that means that DOJ will have a pretty broad remit to proceed with wrapping up the case as it sees fit, without the White House jumping in and saying, ‘Don’t do that,’” he said.
With a new administration set to take charge of antitrust, Kovacic said the antitrust legacy under Biden won’t disappear, especially when it comes to Khan, who has received support from incoming Vice President JD Vance.
“What she leaves behind, in part, is a renewed debate about what antitrust should be all about, and that’s going to be durable,” Kovacic said.
Pro-Palestinian protests lead to dozens of students arrested across some of the country’s most elite college campuses and day two of testimony in former President Donald Trump’s criminal trial. These stories and more highlight The Morning Rundown for Tuesday, April 23, 2024.
Protests lead to arrests across college campuses
Some of the country’s most prestigious universities have been disrupted by pro-Palestinian protesters this week, with the White House describing some incidents as “blatantly anti-Semitic” and “dangerous.” Student protests against the war in Gaza have led to a significant number of arrests.
Columbia University will continue hybrid classes until the semester ends following protests which resulted in 100 arrests on campus.
Dozens of protesters at New York University were also arrested. The school said it called in the New York Police Department to help “gain control” of a “disorderly anti-Israel protest.”
Furthermore, school yards from the University of North Carolina to MIT are closing to the public, with Harvard Yard gates closed until Friday, April 26.
First witness to resume testimony in Trump’s criminal trial
In opening statements Monday, April 22, prosecutors accused Trump of participating in a “criminal conspiracy” to interfere with the 2016 election. Defense attorneys countered, asserting Trump did nothing wrong and claiming some prosecution witnesses are biased and dishonest.
Additionally, a judge will hear arguments Tuesday, April 23, on whether to hold Trump in contempt for allegedly violating a gag order with his social media posts criticizing the trial.
White House imposes staffing requirements for nursing homes
Vice President Kamala Harris has announced new federal rules for nursing homes, setting a minimum staffing level and requiring that a portion of their federal funding be allocated toward higher wages for workers.
It’s the first time the federal government has implemented staff requirements for nursing homes, a response to staffing shortages exposed by the COVID-19 pandemic. The rules mandate a registered nurse be on-site 24 hours a day and staffing levels sufficient to provide nearly four hours of care per resident each day.
For facilities with 100 residents, this translates to a minimum of three registered nurses and 11 nurse aides per shift. Some nursing homes have expressed concerns, stating the staffing standards are unachievable due to a shortage of workers.
FTC blocks Coach, Michael Kors merger following Kroger, Albertsons antitrust lawsuit
The Federal Trade Commission is suing to prevent a merger of top luxury brands, citing concerns it would stifle competition in the industry. Meanwhile, major grocery chains Kroger and Albertsons are selling off some of their stores in hopes the FTC will approve their merger.
The FTC, which can block large business acquisitions to prevent companies from gaining excessive market power, is currently moving to block a deal between Tapestry and Capri Holdings. Tapestry, which owns Coach and Kate Spade, plans to buy Capri Holdings, the owner of Michael Kors and Jimmy Choo. The FTC argues the acquisition would harm American consumers who benefit from competition between these top brands.
In the grocery sector, Kroger intends to purchase Albertsons for $25 billion. Federal regulators sued to block the deal in February. The grocery chains are divesting 166 stores to gain FTC approval for the transaction.
The company reported nearly $1.2 billion in total debts with $1.3 billion in total assets, according to its Chapter 11 filing. The chain has become the latest victim of a decline in mall shopping, as consumers change their shopping and dressing habits.
The CEO of Express noted that workers are dressing less formally than the styles the chain currently offers, and shoppers are increasingly turning to online retailers.
Voyager 1 sending data to Earth for first time in five months
Engineers at NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory identified and addressed a malfunction in one of Voyager 1’s onboard computer chips that disrupted data transmission. Small adjustments to the code were sent over a radio signal through 15 billion miles of interstellar space, taking nearly 45 hours for scientists to hear back from the spacecraft.
Once the chip’s malfunction is corrected, they believe scientific data can start funneling back to Earth.
FTC sues to block $25 billion Kroger-Albertsons deal
The Federal Trade Commission filed a lawsuit Monday, Feb. 26, to block Kroger’s $25 billion bid to acquire Albertsons, arguing that the merger would eliminate competition, raise prices for consumers and lower wages for workers. A group of nine attorneys general from different states has joined the FTC’s complaint, indicating broad opposition to the merger.
“This supermarket mega merger comes as American consumers have seen the cost of groceries rise steadily over the past few years,” said Henry Liu, director of the FTC’s Bureau of Competition. “Kroger’s acquisition of Albertsons would lead to additional grocery price hikes for everyday goods, further exacerbating the financial strain consumers across the country face today. Essential grocery store workers would also suffer under this deal, facing the threat of their wages dwindling, benefits diminishing, and their working conditions deteriorating.”
The Kroger and Albertsons merger has been in limbo for over a year as federal and state regulators closely examine the deal. Announced in October 2022, the companies argue that by joining forces, they could more effectively compete with larger retailers. Albertsons maintains that the merger would boost competition, lower prices, and increase wages for workers, addressing concerns about its potential negative effects.
The company further states that the merger would enable their supermarkets to compete more successfully against major retailers like Walmart, Amazon, and Costco, cautioning that overlooking these benefits could unintentionally empower these larger competitors.
Kroger CEO Rodney McMullen has strongly advocated for the merger, stating that as a larger entity, the combined companies could lower prices, increase profits, and accelerate innovation in the grocery sector. Additionally, Kroger has committed $500 million to cut customer prices and $1 billion to enhance employee wages and benefits.
Biden hopes for Gaza pause by next week as Hamas reviews deal: The Morning Rundown, Feb. 27, 2024
The details of a proposed plan to release hostages and pause the fighting in Gaza have been unveiled. And — a historic donation allows students at one medical school to attend tuition-free. These stories and more highlight The Morning Rundown for Tuesday, Feb. 27, 2024.
Hamas considers 40-day cease-fire as Biden addresses war pause
New details have emerged on a proposal for a temporary cease-fire in the conflict between Israel and Hamas. Sources have informed Reuters that Hamas has received a draft of the ceasefire proposal, which has been brokered by the U.S., Egypt, and Qatar. This proposal aims for a 40-day pause in all military operations.
The cease-fire agreement includes the exchange of Israeli hostages for Palestinian prisoners. According to Reuters, the the draft outlines the first phase which would see Hamas release 40 hostages, including women, children under the age of 19, the elderly over 50, and the sick. In return, Israel would release 400 Palestinian prisoners.
Additionally, the proposed deal would allow 500 trucks of humanitarian aid to enter Gaza daily, with repairs to be made to hospitals.
During an appearance on NBC’s “Late Night with Seth Meyers,” President Joe Biden mentioned that Israel has agreed to halt its operations in Gaza during the upcoming Muslim holy month of Ramadan, expected to start around March 10.
Speaking at an ice cream shop in New York City after the late-night taping, the president expressed his hope that the temporary ceasefire could be implemented by early next week.
Biden, Trump to visit U.S.-Mexico border on same day
As Michigan voters cast their ballots in Tuesday’s primary elections, with immigration at the forefront of their minds, the upcoming simultaneous border visits by President Joe Biden and former President Donald Trump later this week highlight the pressing nature of immigration issues in today’s political landscape.
President Biden is set to travel to Brownsville, Texas, where the White House has announced he will meet with U.S. Border Patrol agents and law enforcement officials on Thursday. He plans to urge Congress to pass bipartisan border security measures during his visit.
Meanwhile, Trump plans to visit the border town of Eagle Pass, where his campaign has stated he will deliver remarks.
A Monmouth University poll released on Monday, Feb. 26, highlights the national concern over illegal immigration, with six in ten Americans viewing it as a very serious problem. Furthermore, 53 percent of Americans are in favor of building a wall along the southern border, indicating significant public interest in border security measures.
On Monday, Feb. 26, Hungary’s parliament overwhelmingly approved Sweden’s bid to join the alliance, with only six of the nearly 200 members of parliament opposing the bid.
The Swedish Prime Minister hailed the approval as a historic day. With Sweden’s addition, NATO will expand to include 32 countries as members. This follows Finland’s accession last year as the 31st member of NATO.
“Sweden is leaving behind 200 years of neutrality and non-alignment. It’s a big step and something to take seriously but it is also a very natural step that we take,” said Swedish Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson. “Membership in NATO means that we now come home to a large number of democracies’ cooperation for peace and freedom. A very successful cooperation.”
Officials state that three escaped prisoners boarded the yacht owned by Ralph Hendry and his wife Kathy Brandel off the coast of Grenada. The Royal Grenada Police Force said in a statement that the escapees likely hijacked the yacht and killed Hendry and Brandel in St. George as they fled to St. Vincent and the Grenadines.
“The boat itself was ransacked and everything was strewn about in the entire cabin, so clearly there was an altercation of some type that took place on the boat,” Buro said. “We are concerned for their safety overall because it does appear that they were likely injured.”
The police successfully recaptured the trio of inmates three days after their escape from a Grenada prison.
FTC sues to block $25 billion Kroger-Albertsons deal
“This supermarket mega merger comes as American consumers have seen the cost of groceries rise steadily over the past few years, said Henry Liu, director of the FTC’s Bureau of Competition. “Kroger’s acquisition of Albertsons would lead to additional grocery price hikes for everyday goods, further exacerbating the financial strain consumers across the country face today. Essential grocery store workers would also suffer under this deal, facing the threat of their wages dwindling, benefits diminishing, and their working conditions deteriorating.”
Albertsons stated that federal regulators are overlooking the increasing dominance of larger retailers such as Walmart, Amazon, and Costco, arguing that this oversight will only serve to strengthen these competitors.
Kroger runs thousands of stores in 36 states under brands like Fred Meyer, Fry’s, Harris Teeter, King Soopers, and QFC. Albertsons operates a similar number in 35 states, with names like Haggen, Jewel-Osco, Pavilions, Safeway, and Vons. If merged, they would have over 5,000 stores, around 4,000 pharmacies, and nearly 700,000 employees across 48 states.
Free tuition at New York medical school after historic gift
Exciting news for students aspiring to attend a medical school in New York City: they will no longer have to worry about tuition costs.
The generous donation comes from the estate of her late husband, David Gottesman, an investor and friend of Warren Buffet. This donation marks the largest ever made to any medical school in the United States.
Ruth Gottesman expressed her joy and gratitude for being able to support the college, stating she feels blessed to provide such a meaningful gift to a worthy cause.
Washington state sues Kroger, Albertsons over proposed merger
A proposed $25 billion merger between the two largest supermarket chains in the U.S. is now facing some opposition. On Monday, Jan. 15, Washington state Attorney General Bob Ferguson sued Kroger and Albertsons, attempting to block the merger. Ferguson argued that the deal would leave shoppers with fewer choices and lead to higher prices.
“This merger is bad for Washington shoppers and workers,” Ferguson said on Monday, Jan. 15. “Shoppers will have fewer choices and less competition, and, without a competitive marketplace, they will pay higher prices at the grocery store.”
The two supermarket chains issued a joint statement, calling Ferguson’s decision to file a lawsuit “premature” since the merger is still under review by the Federal Trade Commission. In the statement, Kroger and Albertsons acknowledged the timeline of the merger being pushed.
Today we're challenging the proposed merger of Washington's two largest supermarket companies: Kroger and Albertsons. Grocery prices are already too high. Without a competitive marketplace, Washingtonians will pay even higher prices. Learn more: https://t.co/SKwX7MxZl6pic.twitter.com/fi7kYWhogU
“In light of our continuing dialogue with the regulators, we are updating our anticipated closure timeline. We currently anticipate that the closing will occur in the first half of Kroger’s fiscal 2024,” the statement said. “While this is longer than we originally thought, we knew it was a possibility and our merger agreement and divestiture plan accounted for such potential timing.”
The deal was announced in 2022, and last year, Kroger said it would sell more than 400 stores to help the merger get approved. The supermarket chains said a merger is necessary to compete with retail giants like Walmart and Amazon.
Trump wins Iowa caucuses in historic landslide; DeSantis places 2nd: The Morning Rundown, Jan. 16, 2024
In a dominant victory, former President Donald Trump walks away the winner in Iowa. And the two largest supermarket chains in the country are sued over their proposed merger. These stories and more highlight The Morning Rundown for Tuesday, Jan. 16, 2024.
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Trump easily wins Iowa caucuses; DeSantis & Haley battle for second
It did not take long for a winner to be decided in Monday’s Jan. 15 Iowa caucuses. Just a half-hour into the first 2024 Republican presidential contest, former President Donald Trump was declared the victor by multiple news outlets.
“This has been an incredible experience,” Trump said. “This is the third time we’ve won, but this is the biggest one.”
Following the results, entrepreneur Vivek Ramaswamy ended his bid for the presidency, saying he’s endorsing Trump for the White House. Next, the GOP candidates set their sights on New Hampshire for the first-in-the-nation primary on Jan. 23.
After winning big in Iowa on Monday night, Jan. 15, Trump is once again expected to be in court Tuesday, Jan. 16, as a civil damages trial begins in New York concerning a defamation case brought by columnist E. Jean Carroll. Following those proceedings, the former president is set to fly to New Hampshire for a rally.
U.S. condemns Iran’s attack on Iraq near American consulate
The Kurdistan Regional Security Council said four people were killed in the attack, and six others were wounded. In a statement, U.S. State Department spokesperson Matthew Miller said the U.S. strongly condemns Iran’s missile strikes in Iraq, which undermine Iraq’s stability. The IRGC also claimed it hit ISIS targets in Syria. A White House official said the U.S. has tracked the missiles that impacted northern Iraq and Syria and said no U.S. personnel or facilities were targeted.
Israel moving to a new phase of war in Gaza
It has been more than 100 days into the Israel-Hamas war, and the death toll has reached 24,000, according to Palestinian authorities. Now, Israel has announced it is changing pace.
The country’s defense minister said on Monday, Jan. 15, that Israeli forces have finished “intensive” ground operations in Northern Gaza, and that phase in the south is coming to an end soon. It comes as world pressure to limit mass casualty events continues to mount.
United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres said that starvation looms over Gaza, adding that the humanitarian situation is beyond words.
“The onslaught on Gaza by Israeli forces over these 100 days has unleashed wholesale destruction and levels of civilian killings at a rate that is unprecedented during my years as secretary-general,” Guterres said.
Still, the fighting is not over yet, as Israeli officials say keeping the pressure on Hamas in Gaza is the only way to free 132 hostages. And there are still talks on what post-war Gaza looks like, with the U.S. saying that the Palestinian Authority should have a role in governance, something Israel disagrees with.
Swatting incident at the White House
Firefighters and EMS responded to the White House after a 911 caller reported a fire had broken out with someone trapped inside on Monday morning, Jan. 15. When crews arrived on the scene, there was no fire; according to officials, it was a swatting incident.
It is still unclear who called in the fire, but the Secret Service said that any fire at the White House would be immediately detected, and there was no fire. President Biden was at Camp David in Maryland when the call came in. Though law enforcement did not respond in this instance, the incident falls in line with a wave of swatting attempts on congressional leaders, judges, and other elected officials in recent weeks.
Washington state sues to block Kroger, Albertsons merger
The two supermarket chains issued a joint statement, calling Ferguson’s decision to file a lawsuit “premature” since the merger is still under review by the Federal Trade Commission. The deal was announced in 2022, and last year, Kroger said it would sell more than 400 stores to help the merger get approved. The supermarket chains said a merger is necessary to compete with retail giants like Walmart and Amazon.
Big night for Elton John, ‘The Bear,’ and ‘Succession’ at the Emmys
Award season continued in Hollywood Monday night, Jan. 15, with the 75th annual Emmy Awards, following a four-month delay due to the actors’ and writers’ strikes. On a night honoring the best in television, it was a legendary musician who made history. Elton John won the Emmy for Outstanding Variety Special for his Disney+ farewell concert. With the win, John officially became an EGOT, a performer who has won an Emmy, Grammy, Oscar, and Tony.
It was another big night for “Succession” as the HBO show won outstanding drama series for its final season, and outstanding comedy series went to the FX series “The Bear.” Both shows topped all others, taking home six awards apiece.
Biden ‘confident’ of no rail strike, NATO commits to Ukraine
Biden says he is “confident” a rail strike will be averted; NATO commits to Ukraine; and the Great Barrier Reef is in danger. These stories and more highlight the midday rundown for Tuesday, Nov. 29, 2022.
Biden is “confident” strike will be prevented
“Congress, I think, has to act to prevent it. It’s not an easy call, but I think we have to do it. The economy is at risk.” President Biden said today. He told reporters he is confident a rail strike will be prevented.
Congress has the power to keep workers working even if contract negotiations between unions and railroads continue to fall flat as they have. Congressional leaders were all in agreement to urgently bring legislation forward.
NATO commits to future Ukraine membership
Some officials say Ukraine’s sought-after status of becoming part of NATO is the reason Russia’s war on Ukraine began. Today, NATO reassured Ukraine and the world of its commitment to one day welcome Ukraine as a member of the world’s largest security alliance.
“So we demonstrate that NATO’s door is open, not only words but in deeds. And that was part of the decision we made in Bucharest. Then we also made a decision on the on the on Ukraine specifically. And we stand by that, too. On membership for Ukraine,” said NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg.
Russian officials have long pushed back against NATO’s presence along its country’s borders, feeling cornered by a NATO alliance.
Finland and Sweden also have pending memberships.
The announcement from NATO today reaffirming its support for Ukraine along with sending more aid in the ongoing war.
“We need to support Ukraine because what we see is that President Putin is trying to use winter as a weapon of war, which is inflicting a lot of suffering on the Ukrainian people,” Stoltenberg said.
400-500 deaths to build World Cup in Qatar
“What is the honest, realistic total do you think of migrant workers who’ve died from, as a result of what they’re doing for the world cup in totality?” Piers Morgan, host of Piers Morgan Uncensored asked.
Hassan Al-Thawadi of the Qatar Supreme Committee for Delivery and Legacy Secretary-General responded: “The estimate is around 400. Between 400 and 500 and I don’t have the exact number that’s something that’s being discussed.”
The toll it took to bring the World Cup tournament to Qatar was a costly one for the migrants building the stadiums and structures. A top Qatari official estimates between 400 and 500 people have died.
The country won the bid to host the 2022 World Cup back in 2010. In 2014, construction began. The deaths span across the seven years it took to build the new infrastructure needed to hold such a vast event.
“What I will say is one death is a death too many, plain and simple. And I think every year, the health and safety standards on the sites are improving,” Al-Thawadi said.
Qatar has long been questioned by human rights groups over their ability to host the World Cup given strict migrant labor laws and worker-conditions.
Kroger, Albertsons executives face hearing on merger
Tuesday afternoon, the U.S. Senate will hold an antitrust subcommittee hearing on Kroger’s proposed $24.6 billion purchase of rival Albertsons. It will include testimony from each company’s CEO.
The hearing will focus the spotlight on the merger that has sparked opposition from lawmakers, labor unions and consumer groups. Kroger and Albertsons will defend their arguments in favor of a merger that could directly impact tens of millions of Americans.
A representative for the budget airline said the transition happened earlier this month to ensure expediency and efficiency. They say customers prefer communicating via digital channels.
If changes need to be made to a reservation, customers can go to their website or mobile app. They also have a chatbot service available 24 hours throughout the week. The airline said to offer the lowest fares in the industry, they have to operate as efficiently as possible.
The airline was fined $2.2 million by the DOT earlier this month for “extreme delays” in providing refunds to customers since the beginning of the pandemic. It was the only U.S. airline, among six, that were issued fines.
State attorney fights suspension from DeSantis
“I can tell you it’s been a very troubling record, so the prosecutor state attorney for this district Andrew Warren has put himself publicly above the law,” said Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis.
The state attorney that Gov. DeSantis suspended earlier this year will be in court today fighting to get his job back. The governor suspended Andrew Warren for a pledge the prosecutor made to not enforce certain laws. One of such laws he planned to not enforce is an abortion ban.
The Florida constitution grants a governor the right to remove people from office. Whether that rightfully can be applied to Warren’s removal is the question brought to the court.
Risks to the Great Barrier Reef
Australia is doubling down against a new report that suggests the Great Barrier Reef should be listed as an endangered site. The report says without “great intervention against climate change” the world’s largest coral reef is in danger.
But the Australian government disagrees with its consensus, saying every coral reef would be in danger if the world’s temperature increased.
“What I say is, there is no need to single out the Great Barrier Reef in Australia because there is no government taking the risks to coral reefs more seriously than the Australian government,” Australian Environment Minster Tanya Plibersek said.
The Great Barrier Reef is the largest living structure on the planet. 70 million football fields could fit inside of it.