UPS and Teamsters Union Reach Tentative Deal, Averting Potential Strike

After intense negotiations, UPS and the Teamsters Union have reached a tentative deal, preventing a potential strike by 340,000 workers. The agreement includes significant improvements in working conditions, increased wages, more full-time positions, and a ban on forced overtime on days off. This deal, delivered ahead of schedule, is considered a major win for workers. However, the final decision rests with the union workers, who will vote on whether to ratify the contract on August 3rd. If ratified, this deal could set a new standard in the labor movement and inspire other workers to negotiate for better conditions.

Department of Education Investigates Harvard's Legacy Admissions Policies

The Department of Education has launched a federal civil rights investigation into Harvard University's legacy admissions policies. Legacy applicants, who are often white and wealthy, are over six times more likely to be admitted to Harvard. This investigation comes after the Supreme Court ended affirmative action policies in college admissions. Some universities, like Wesleyan, have already dropped their legacy admissions policies. The investigation will determine if Harvard's legacy admissions practices illegally discriminate against black, Latino, and Asian applicants.

Atlantic Ocean Current at Risk of Slowing Down or Stopping Due to Climate Change

The Atlantic Ocean current, a crucial player in global climate patterns, is facing the risk of slowing down or even stopping due to human-driven climate change. Rising ocean temperatures and increased fresh water from melting ice are causing the current to slow down. While the exact timeline is uncertain, experts warn that the current could collapse by the middle of the century or as early as 2025. The collapse of this current would have catastrophic effects on global climate and weather patterns.

Florida Governor Ron DeSantis' Presidential Campaign Makes More Cuts

Florida Governor Ron DeSantis' presidential campaign has made further cuts, slashing 38 positions. The campaign has been burning through a significant amount of cash since DeSantis entered the race. One of the campaign's recent hires, Nate Hochman, was part of the recent purge after creating a video with fascist imagery. Additionally, DeSantis himself was involved in a multi-car accident while traveling for a fundraising tour.

Trader Joe's Recalls Cookies Due to Potential Contamination

Trader Joe's is recalling two cookie brands, the almond windmill and dark chocolate chunk and almond cookies, due to potential contamination with rocks. The company has already removed and discarded the potentially contaminated products. Last month, Trader Joe's also recalled its organic tropical fruit blend products due to potential Listeria contamination.

UPS and the Teamsters union — which represents about 340,000 UPS workers nationwide — reached a tentative labor deal on Tuesday, averting what would have been the largest strike involving a single employer in the history of the United States. Workers still need to ratify the agreement, which includes wage increases and new worker protections.

Though the Supreme Court ended affirmative action in higher education this summer, the Department of Education has opened a civil rights investigation into Harvard University’s legacy admissions policy. The probe will look into allegations from a complaint filed earlier this month, which accuses the university of giving preferential treatment to white, wealthy students.

And in headlines: a federal judge blocked the Biden administration’s new rules for asylum seekers at the U.S.-Mexico border, Ecuador’s president declared a state of emergency following a wave of deadly gang violence, and Trader Joe’s recalled two types of cookies that could contain rocks.

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