Salem News Channel

Thousands of lawsuits accusing some of the world’s largest social media companies of designing their platforms to addict young users can move forward after a federal appeals court rejected an attempt to halt the litigation. The 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals ruled Monday that more than 3,000 federal lawsuits against Meta, Google parent Alphabet, TikTok owner ByteDance and Snapchat parent Snap can proceed. The cases have been brought by individuals, school districts, municipalities and states alleging that features of the platforms contributed to depression, anxiety, body-image problems and other harms among young people. Meta and TikTok had argued that Section 230 of the Communications Decency Act shielded them from the claims. The appeals court did not decide the broader merits of that defense, instead ruling that the companies sought appellate review too early because Section 230 provides a potential defense against liability rather than immunity from having to face the lawsuits. The court also rejected Meta’s attempt to delay a separate trial scheduled to begin Wednesday involving 29 state attorneys general. That case accuses Meta of illegally collecting and using children’s data, designing Facebook and Instagram to keep young people engaged and misleading consumers about the platforms’ safety. The decision comes just days after a New Mexico judge ordered Meta to pay $567 million into a teen mental health fund and implement additional protections for young users. Combined with an earlier $375 million jury award in the state, Meta now faces $942 million in penalties from the New Mexico litigation, although the company says it plans to appeal. Meta, Google and other social media companies have denied allegations that their products are responsible for the harms alleged in the lawsuits and have pointed to safety tools and protections developed for younger users.

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The U.S. government has sold two sanctioned oil tankers for scrap after the vessels were seized earlier this year as part of Washington’s crackdown on ships linked to sanctioned oil from Venezuela, Iran and Russia. The tankers — the Era, previously known as Marinera and Bella 1, and the Lileo, previously known as Galileo and Veronica — were purchased last month by Dubai-based vessel recycling company Global Marketing Systems for an undisclosed amount. Both ships are expected to be dismantled at scrapyards in India. U.S. Coast Guard and military special forces seized the Russian-flagged Era in January in waters south of Iceland following a weeks-long pursuit across the Atlantic. U.S. officials said the vessel had previously evaded a blockade in the Caribbean and had been used to transport sanctioned oil from Venezuela and Iran. The Lileo, also Russian-flagged, was seized in the Caribbean and had been sanctioned by the United States over its ties to Russia. The sales were authorized by a court, according to Global Marketing Systems CEO Anil Sharma. The two vessels were among as many as 10 oil tankers seized by the United States following U.S. military action in Venezuela.

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President Donald Trump was secretly moved to a different military aircraft while leaving last month’s NATO summit in Turkey after U.S. officials received what was described as a credible Iranian assassination threat, according to The Washington Post. Trump publicly boarded the legacy Air Force One in Ankara, but minutes later, he and several aides were reportedly moved out of the aircraft using an airport catering truck. The president was then transferred to a smaller Air Force C-32A, a modified Boeing 757, which carried him to Britain. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth was also aboard the smaller aircraft. Meanwhile, journalists and some White House staff remained aboard the larger plane believing Trump was traveling with them. The aircraft later used the Air Force One call sign, effectively serving as a decoy while the president’s actual location remained concealed. The White House did not directly address the details of the reported operation, but said there are “many enemies of America” who have the president in their sights and that officials use every available tool to address threats. The Secret Service and Pentagon referred questions about the operation to the White House.

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The discussion delves into the growing influence of the Democratic Socialists of America (DSA) and their alignment with communist ideologies. Larry Elder critiques establishment Democrats, pointing out their shift in views to stay relevant, particularly their increasing attacks on white landowners and the middle class. Notable figures like Hassan Piker and Abdul El-Sayed are cited for their controversial statements and actions that support Elder’s claims. Bill Maher is referenced for his bold assertion that Democrats and socialists are essentially communists. The conversation emphasizes the importance of clarity and transparency in political discourse, urging those who advocate for radical economic policies to openly acknowledge their intentions and the implications of their proposed changes. This segment underscores the tension between collectivism and individualism, highlighting the potential consequences of a government that relies on force rather than voluntary cooperation.

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Larry Elder discusses the Democratic Socialists of America (DSA) and their alignment with Communist ideologies. He argues that Black and brown voters are recognizing the failures of socialism and shifting towards the Republican Party. Elder emphasizes the detrimental effects of policies such as welfare, soft-on-crime laws, and minimum wage laws on the Black community, citing examples like the impact of minimum wage increases on fast-food jobs in California. He also criticizes licensing laws that prevent skilled individuals from practicing their trades without costly education, referencing a conversation with a Black woman aspiring to be a barber. This discussion highlights the broader implications of political ideologies on marginalized communities and the economy.

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New details are emerging about what Former NIH Director Dr. Anthony Fauci was telling the public about the risk of the COVID vaccine to pregnant women versus the concerns he was raising privately during the pandemic. Text messages from his own phone indicate that Fauci privately raised concerns that the COVID vaccine could “theoretically” be linked to miscarriages. Publicly he insisted there were “no red flags” for pregnant women. Fauci still went on to recommend pregnant women get vaccinated. These text messages are being released by Kentucky Senator Rand Paul and Wisconsin's Ron Johnson. They are part of 34,000 texts and 522 voicemails obtained by the Senate Homeland Security Committee from Fauci’s government-issued cell phone. Stay with SNC as we continue to follow this developing story.

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President Donald Trump is scoffing at Iran's demands that the U.S. pay for devastation caused by five months of war. A spokesperson for Iran's foreign ministry stressed Monday that reopening the Strait of Hormuz is tied to reparations from the U.S. and other concessions. Trump responded on social media that he now demands that Iran pay for hundreds of American troops killed and wounded by Iran-backed militants over several decades — including more than 600 U.S. service members killed in Iraq between 2003 and 2011.

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Aug 10 (Reuters) - The U.S. Federal Aviation Administration said on Monday it expects to temporarily pause flight operations at Washington's Reagan National Airport from 10:15 a.m. (1415 GMT) to 1:15 p.m. on August 23 to support the Freedom 250 Grand Prix IndyCar race. The IndyCar race will roar through the streets of Washington August 22 to 23 to celebrate the 250th birthday of the U.S. General admission tickets are free, though spectators can pay to be part of the "Champions Club" and have an "exclusive race weekend experience," according to the event website. The cost is $5,000 per person for a two-day package. The FAA has closed the airspace above Washington's Reagan National Airport a few times in recent months for anniversary celebrations. The FAA closed the airport on July 4 to accommodate Independence Day events in the nation's capital, forcing the cancellation of hundreds of flights. The airport suspended operations on June 14 for U.S. President Donald Trump's Army anniversary parade.

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WASHINGTON (AP) — President Donald Trump on Monday extended a waiver for 90 days for foreign ships to transport goods, including oil, fertilizers and other fossil fuel products, among U.S. ports. The president first waived the Jones Act on March 17 so that it would be easier to transport oil and refined fuels among ports, reducing price pressures after the start of the war with Iran. The latest extension will take effect on August 17 and suggests that the U.S. might be preparing for continued price pressures as the Strait of Hormuz, a primary waterway for shipping oil and natural gas, remains effectively closed because of the war. Unlike previous extensions, the Pentagon will consult with the Maritime Administration to decide which voyages are exempt from the 1920 law containing the Jones Act. The new waiver will only apply to cargo that are sources of energy and commodities related to agriculture such as fertilizers and soybean oil. Taylor Rogers, a White House spokeswoman, said the administration extended the waiver “to ensure our military and key industries maintain uninterrupted access to critical resources.” Rogers added that the waiver has increased domestic deliveries of gasoline, diesel and jet fuel.

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LAS VEGAS (AP) — The trial of a man accused of orchestrating the 1996 killing of rapper Tupac Shakur has started. The unsolved case has gripped the hip-hop world for 30 years. The trial began Monday and is expected to last about a month. Duane “Keffe D” Davis has pleaded not guilty to one charge of murder with a deadly weapon. At the time, Davis was a leader of the South Side Compton Crips. People who will testify include those who saw Shakur moments before he was shot, as well as people who were affiliated with rival record labels. Shakur was on his way to perform at a Las Vegas club when a car pulled up beside him. Shakur was shot multiple times and died a week later.

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WASHINGTON, Aug 10 (Reuters) - U.S. President Donald Trump signed an executive order on Monday calling for fewer childhood vaccinations by limiting the inoculation schedule to 11 immunizations. The order also recommended splitting the childhood measles, mumps and rubella vaccine into three shots and delivering the shots at separate medical visits Public health experts say the immunization schedule was based on decades of evidence showing the vaccines could protect against serious illness and death, and that the number of shots reflect the specific health needs of Americans. They say reducing the recommended vaccines will leave more children vulnerable to preventable diseases. "Effective immediately, my administration is recognizing gold standard childhood vaccine recommendations for only 11 core vaccinations against the most serious and dangerous diseases, along with the MMR, which hopefully will be split up," Trump said during a White House signing ceremony. "America has recommended more childhood vaccines than any peer nation, and even twice as many doses as some European countries," he said. U.S. Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., a longtime vaccine critic, has previously led efforts to drop universal recommendations for hepatitis B shots for children and reducing the list of recommended vaccines, citing links to autism that scientists have repeatedly debunked.

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Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez discussed her political ideology in a recent ABC interview. She explained the differences between socialism and communism, emphasizing democratic socialists’ commitment to democracy. She also said her current focus is running for Congress rather than discussing a potential presidential campaign. The interview showcased her ability to handle challenging political questions.

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BOGOTA, Aug 10 (Reuters) - At least 111 people were killed after a powerful earthquake struck western Colombia early on Monday, knocking down buildings across several cities and injuring 87 others, with still more residents trapped in the rubble. The quake struck just days after Abelardo De La Espriella was sworn in as president, thrusting the new administration into its first major crisis, with memories still fresh of devastating twin earthquakes in neighboring Venezuela in June. "The national government has all of its capabilities deployed to protect lives, assist affected communities and deliver aid wherever it is needed," he said in a national address around 1 p.m. local time, upon declaring a national state of emergency. "The first priority is rescuing the people trapped under the rubble." The 7.4 magnitude quake, according to the U.S. Geological Survey, struck at a depth of 107 km (66 miles) near San Jose del Palmar, in Choco, a sparsely populated province on Colombia's Pacific Coast, but was felt in major cities nationwide. The casualties appeared to be most concentrated in the western province of Risaralda in Colombia's coffee-growing region, and Cali, one of Colombia's biggest cities, was also hit hard, although local officials had yet to confirm any deaths. "The building completely collapsed. It sounded like a bomb. It was horrible," Juan Carlos Osorio told Caracol Television as he helped remove debris from a collapsed structure in Cali. "All of us neighbors are working together, forming human chains. We need heavy equipment. There are many people trapped." Colombia's civil aviation authority said flights were suspended at airports in Pereira, Manizales, Quibdo, Armenia, Cartago and Buenaventura while inspectors checked for structural damage. LAND OF EARTHQUAKES While Colombia typically registers thousands of small quakes every month, Northwestern University seismologist Suzan van der Lee said the strong magnitude, inland epicenter near soft river valleys and movement of the plates may have contributed to more intense damage. "This one was far below the (earth's) crust, and in theory, it shouldn't cause as much shaking. At this magnitude, it did actually cause a lot of shaking," she said. "A magnitude 7.4 is about 32 times as powerful as a magnitude 6.4." Cities in the country's coffee region, including Armenia and Pereira, suffered a devastating 6.2 magnitude quake in 1999, which killed more than 1,000 people.

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WASHINGTON (AP) — U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement says it expects every officer and agent in the field to be equipped with a body camera by the end of August, a rapid expansion that could provide an unprecedented visual record of the federal government’s immigration enforcement operations. But whether the public will get to see that footage remains largely up to ICE. The agency defended its body-worn camera policy amid questions about provisions allowing ICE leadership to withhold or indefinitely delay footage after serious injuries or deaths in custody. Venturella’s statement came in response to an Associated Press report on ICE policy.

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Iran's president says its new supreme leader is calling for unity as the Islamic Republic faces economic hardships and sanctions stemming from its war with the United States. Iran says talks with Oman to reopen the Strait of Hormuz are progressing, but stresses that resuming traffic in the strait is tied to U.S. concessions. Yemen’s Defense Ministry announced a death toll in the latest attack by Houthi rebels. And Israel’s military said it had declared a town in the occupied West Bank hit hard by settler attacks off limits as a closed military zone.

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Wildfires are burning across the western U.S. and Canada, leaving some residents keeping a wary eye out for possible evacuation orders. Meanwhile others who were already forced to flee their homes are waiting to see what will be left of their places upon their return. In western Canada, over 20,000 people were forced to evacuate from communities along Okanagan Lake in British Columbia as a fast-moving wildfire destroyed homes. Dozens of people had to be rescued by aircraft. And late Sunday, the Royal Canadian Mounted Police said an 80-year-old woman died while trying to escape the wildfire that forced evacuations in the Okanagan Lake region.

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In WNBA game between the Chicago Sky and Indiana Fever, DiJonai Carrington was ejected for a flagrant foul on opponent Sophie Cunningham, in which she grabbed her by the head and knocked her to the floor . Minutes later, Carrington took to social media and posted "WHITE PRIVILEGE," tagging the Fever . Is this really about race, or is it just another heated sports rivalry? --- M and M EXTRA: Two iconic talk radio hosts. One unfiltered daily conversation. No scripts. No spin. Just Mike Gallagher and Mark Davis breaking down the news the way it should be — with decades of experience and zero apologies. If you love smart unscripted talk show chemistry, you’re in the right place. --- Like & Subscribe to M and M Extra Live ?? / @mandmextra ?? Weekdays at 12 PM ET Watch The Mike Gallagher Show Live ?? salemnewschannel.com/watch-live ?? Weekdays 9 AM – 12 PM ET Listen to The Mark Davis Show ?? 660amtheanswer.com/listenlive ?? Weekdays at 7AM - 10AM CT

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In McKinney, Texas, the city council has just approved a new Islamic Center despite fierce community resistance. We dive into the root of local concerns regarding the spread of radical Islam, and the First Amendment right to worship. -------- M and M EXTRA: Two iconic talk radio hosts. One unfiltered daily conversation. No scripts. No spin. Just Mike Gallagher and Mark Davis breaking down the news the way it should be — with decades of experience and zero apologies. If you love smart unscripted talk show chemistry, you’re in the right place. ---------------- Like & Subscribe to M and M Extra Live ?? youtube.com/@MandMExtra ?? Weekdays at 12 PM ET Watch The Mike Gallagher Show Live ?? salemnewschannel.com/watch-live ?? Weekdays 9 AM – 12 PM ET Listen to The Mark Davis Show ?? 660amtheanswer.com/listenlive ?? Weekdays at 7AM - 10AM CT

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Abdul El-Sayed defends campaigning with socialist streamer Hasan Piker despite Piker’s inflammatory comments, arguing that engaging his audience is necessary to build a broad progressive coalition around issues like campaign finance reform and Medicare for All.

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Is Trump Losing His Base?

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