08/11/23
Good morning! It’s Friday, August 11th.
Mountain Day!
This is a national holiday in Japan, and was established in 2016.
I don’t have anything to add or make fun of here – this is just absolutely delightful.
And now, the news.
Update on Hawaii
The death toll in Maui continues to rise and wildfires continue to race across, and destroy, sections of the town, with the number currently at 53 but governor is warning that the total deaths will “significantly exceed” the 1960 tsunami that left 61 people dead.
Meanwhile, although there are many places to donate to the victims, philanthropy experts are recommending people wait to donate until the fires are out and there is a clearer picture of the work that needs to be done. However, if you want to donate now, be sure it’s to an organization with known ties to the community.
President Biden spoke with the governor on the phone Thursday and pledged immediate federal disaster aid. He also ordered all available Coast Guard and Air Force personnel on the island to work with the Hawaii National Guard. California is also sending more than a dozen specially trained search-and-rescue workers.
At least 29,000 people have been evacuated off the island.
As of this recording, two of the fires are more than 70% contained.
Supreme Court Blocks Sackler Deal
-via CNN
The Supreme Court has blocked Purdue Pharma from moving forward with their bankruptcy proceedings and instead will hear the case this December.
The move would have allowed the Sackler family, who owns Purdue, to basically have immunity from any opioid related civil court cases. The family actually pulled billions from the company before it filed for bankruptcy. They have now agreed to contribute up to $6 billion to Purdue’s reorganization fund on the condition that they receive a release from civil liability.
The audacity of some people. To really walk around and act like you don’t deserve all the civil liability possible…
US Reaches Deal to Free American Detainees
-via NY Times
The US and Iran have reached an agreement to free five imprisoned Americans in exchange for several jailed Iranians and eventual access to about $6 billion in Iranian oil revenue.
The first step in the agreement will see the five Iranian American dual citizens released into house arrest, with the expectation that this process will eventually bring them home to America.
O’Shae Sibley
-via CNN
The 17-year-old that was arrested in the murder of O’Shae Sibley, a 28-year-old choreographer and dancer who was stabbed to death in a Brooklyn gas station on July 29th after dancing to a Beyonce song, will be charged with second degree murder as a hate crime, in addition to other charges.
He faces a minimum of 20 years in jail if convicted.
Sibley was, as I mentioned, dancing to Beyonce at the gas station when a group of men, including this 17-year-old, began shouting homophobic slurs at him. An altercation broke out and Sibley was stabbed in the chest.
And that’s it. That’s the news.
Not a ton of news but what the news we do have… is a bummer. Some of it. Half of it. I’m glad the Sacklers can’t file for the bankruptcy they forced. That’s good. They should… they should personally lose the money the gained while ruining other people’s lives, but they also should have consequences.
Anyway, it’s Friday. Go enjoy the weekend. I’m proud of mountains. Love em. Big fan! More than that… because you are also a breath of fresh air… I’m proud of you.