Editor’s Note: This listicle is part of a weekly series by The Ball State Daily News summarizing five stories from across the United States. All summaries are based on stories published by The Associated Press.
The United Nations climate talks, the Trump-Biden Ukraine controversy, Walmart’s decision to quit selling e-cigarettes, the General Motors strike and people storming the gates of Area 51 make up this week’s five national stories.
Environmental activist Greta Thunberg, of Sweden, addresses the Climate Action Summit in the United Nations General Assembly, at U.N. headquarters, Monday, Sept. 23, 2019. (AP Photo/Jason DeCrow)
‘You are failing us’: Plans, frustration at UN climate talks
Following Friday’s global climate protests, Swedish teenage climate activist Greta Thunberg shamed world leaders Monday at the United Nations Climate Action Summit repeating the phrase: “How dare you?” While world and business leaders made promises, the United States did not ask to speak at the summit. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres had told countries they couldn’t be on the agenda without making bold new proposals.
Read more: Climate
FILE - In this Oct. 11, 2012, file photo, Hunter Biden waits for the start of the his father's, Vice President Joe Biden's, debate at Centre College in Danville, Ky. In 2014, then-Vice President Joe Biden was at the forefront of American diplomatic efforts to support Ukraine's fragile democratic government as it sought to fend off Russian aggression and root out corruption. So it raised eyebrows when Biden's son Hunter was hired by a Ukrainian gas company. President Donald Trump prodded Ukraine's president to help him investigate any corruption related to Joe Biden, now one of the top Democrats seeking to defeat Trump in 2020. (AP Photo/Pablo Martinez Monsivais, File)
The story behind Biden’s son, Ukraine and Trump’s claims
In 2014, when then-Vice President Joe Biden was at the forefront of American diplomatic efforts in Ukraine, his son Hunter Biden was named paid board member of Ukrainian gas company Burisma Holdings. The Obama White House said at the time there was no conflict and there’s been no evidence of wrongdoing by either Biden, but the matter resurfaced following revelations that President Donald Trump prodded Ukraine’s president to help him investigate Joe Biden.
Read more: Ukraine
FILE - In this Aug. 28, 2019, file photo, a man exhales while smoking an e-cigarette in Portland, Maine. Walmart says it will stop selling electronic cigarettes at its namesake stores and Sam's Clubs following a string of illnesses and deaths related to vaping. The nation's largest retailer said Friday, Sept. 20 that it will complete its exit from e-cigarettes after selling through current inventory. It cited growing federal, state and local regulatory complexity regarding vaping products. (AP Photo/Robert F. Bukaty, File)
Walmart to quit selling e-cigarettes amid vaping backlash
The nation’s largest retailer Walmart said Friday that it will stop selling electronic cigarettes at its namesake stores and Sam’s Clubs in the U.S. when it sells out its current inventory. The retailer said the move is due to “growing federal, state and local regulatory complexity” regarding vaping products. It also comes after several hundred people have mysteriously fallen ill after vaping, and at least eight have died.
Read more: Vaping
FILE - In this Sept. 16, 2019 file photo, union members picket outside a General Motors facility in Langhorne, Pa. The strike against GM by United Auto Workers entered its second week Monday, Sept. 23 with progress reported in negotiations but no clear end in sight. Bargainers met all weekend and returned to talks Monday morning as the strike entered its eighth day. (AP Photo/Matt Rourke, File)
GM strike enters 2nd week with no clear end in sight
The strike against General Motors (GM) by 49,000 United Auto Workers (UAW) entered its second week Monday with progress in negotiations but no clear end in sight. The strike forced GM to shut down two Canadian factories, consumers will start to see fewer vehicles on dealer lots and workers will have to start living on $250 per week in strike pay starting this week. This is the first UAW national strike since 2007 when it shut down GM for two days.
Read more: Strikes
People dressed in costumes visit an entrance to the Nevada Test and Training Range near Area 51, Friday, Sept. 20, 2019, near Rachel, Nev. People came to visit the gate inspired by the "Storm Area 51" internet hoax. (AP Photo/John Locher)
Area 51 festival wraps up in Nevada; Earthlings head home
People from around the world headed home Sunday after spending a weekend in the Nevada desert and trekking to the Area 51 gates. More than 2 million Facebook users said they were interested in storming the formerly top-secret military base to “see them aliens,” but total visitors in the Nevada city of Rachel in Lincoln County peaked at 3,000 on Friday. Six people were arrested in the county during the weekend for misdemeanors.
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AP: Biden's upcoming graduation speech roils Morehouse College, a center of Black politics and culture
By The Associated Press / YesterdayWhen he gives the commencement address at Morehouse College, President Joe Biden will have his most direct engagement with college students since the start of the Israel-Hamas war at a center of Black politics and culture.
Indiana Capital Chronicle: Rokita warns Indiana college officials to guard against campus antisemitism
By Indiana Capital Chronicle / 3 days agoAttorney General Todd Rokita on Wednesday issued a warning to postsecondary officials: “Hateful antisemitic acts against Jewish students will not be tolerated.”
Battling Lupus: Ball State student shares his battle with an autoimmune disease
By Ball Bearings / 3 days agoThroughout my life, I would’ve never assumed that something “bad” would happen to me. Growing up generally healthy, the thought of being ill would’ve never crossed my radar, but sometimes life takes you in an unexpected direction.
