Congress Back: Congress is back in session for 2020 as of January 7th. Catch live updates at Roll Call.
Trump Battling Iran: Tensions with Iran escalated over the past few days after President Trump ordered the assassination of Iranian Revolutionary Guard General Qasem Soleimani. Iran retaliated by launching missiles at military bases in Iraq which housed US troops. Live updates at CBS.
Ukraine International Airlines: A Ukraine Airlines Boeing 737 crashed on Wednesday after takeoff from Tehran bound for Kiev. The US and Canada both announced that they had evidence the plane was shot down by an Iranian missile. President Trump and Canadian PM Trudeau both expressed that it was likely unintentional. More than 60 of the passengers were Canadians, and dozens had ties to Canadian universities. Read on at Washington Post.
New York Beer Tax Could Help State Schools: New York State politicians are considering a levy which would increase tax on beer and direct the revenue towards the State Universities of New York. It is estimated to raise $50 million per year. Details at Bloomberg.
Impeachment: Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi (D-CA) has not yet turned over articles of impeachment to the Senate, as she explains she is waiting to know what the “terms of engagement” will be. Top Democrats are concerned because Republican Senate leaders have expressed a desire to coordinate closely with President Trump in executing his own trial. However, Congresswoman Pelosi did signal that impeachment could move forward soon. More at WSJ.
Florida State Begins Probe into Foreign Academic Ties: The Florida State Government has began an investigation into researchers in the state who failed to disclose ties to China’s Thousand Talents program. The investigation mirrors efforts at the national level from federal agencies and law enforcement. More at Science Magazine.