Environmental Groups Sue over California Support for Polluting Biofuels

Dirty water, sentient trees and hope in a climate crisis: 10 environmental long reads to digest over Christmas

In this week’s Down To Earth newsletter: These essential features – chosen by the Guardian’s Long Reads editors, cover everything from dirty water and sentient trees to how to find hope in a ...

The Guardian - 31m

Five Gaza journalists killed in Israeli strike targeting armed group

A Palestinian TV channel says they were in a marked media van in the central Gaza Strip.

BBC News - 31m

Nesting Parties Ditch the Gifts, Bring in the Support

As pressure builds to make baby showers extra flashy, some are opting instead for low-key nesting parties, which center on household tasks.

The New York Times - 4h

Trump is surrounding himself with a tight-knit group of right-wing tech barons

President-elect Donald Trump has surrounded himself with a tight-knit group of wealthy tech barons who will help define his second term in the White House.

NBC News - 7h

Food groups develop a taste for cocoa alternatives

High commodity prices and sustainability concerns prompting investment by likes of Mondelēz into lab-grown versions

Financial Times - 9h

Damar Hamlin-supported HEARTS Act signed into law, aims to improve access to resources for heart health

The law provides grants to schools for purchases including automated external defibrillators, CPR and AED training

CBS Sports - 18h

Israel Intercepts Houthi Missile and Threatens Militant Group’s Leaders

Israel said it had repelled an attack, which came hours after Israel’s defense minister vowed to “behead” the Yemeni group’s leadership.

The New York Times - 1d

Judge Finds Israel’s NSO Group Liable for Hacking in WhatsApp Lawsuit

The Meta messaging app was breached by the spyware maker, which was accused of putting Pegasus monitoring software on users’ mobile devices.

Inc. - 1d

Justin Baldoni’s Ex-Publicist Sues Over Alleged Blake Lively Smear Campaign

An ousted P.R. executive alleges a conspiracy to harm her and steal her clients, in connection with an effort to tarnish Blake Lively.

The New York Times - 1d

Biggest banks sue the Federal Reserve over annual stress tests

A group of banks and business groups are suing the Federal Reserve over the annual bank stress tests, saying the current process falls short.

CNBC - 1d

Disney Pulled the Plug on This Game in 2013. A Group of Teens Kept It Alive

Thanks to a bunch of game-makers who were still teens when Toontown Online disappeared, the beloved online world lives on as Toontown Rewritten.

Wired - 2d

CFPB Sues Rocket Homes Over Alleged Kickbacks

The lawsuit alleged that the real-estate company provided incentives to brokers and agents to steer home buyers to its parent company’s mortgage-lending wing, Rocket Mortgage.

The Wall Street Journal - 2d

El Salvador overturns metals mining ban, defying environmental groups

President Nayib Bukele pushed for the legislation that will grant government sole authority over mining activities. El Salvador ’s legislature has overturned a seven-year-old ban on metals mining, ...

The Guardian - 2d

U.S. sues Walmart, Branch Messenger over payment accounts for delivery drivers

The CFPB filed a complaint Monday against Walmart and Branch Messenger for allegedly forcing delivery drivers to use costly deposit accounts to get paid.

CNBC - 2d

CFPB Sues Walmart for Pay Practices for 'Last-Mile' Drivers

The lawsuit alleges that Walmart deposited drivers’ pay into accounts with payment platform Branch Messenger without the drivers’ consent.

The Wall Street Journal - 2d

Texas sues NCAA in latest push to block transgender athletes in women's sports

Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton has sued the NCAA to block the participation of transgender athletes in women’s sports, arguing that it tricks and misleads fans

ABC News - 2d

House GOP picks new funding plan that will need wide Democratic support

Politico - 5d

Support for Ukraine ‘until it wins’ falls sharply in western Europe, poll finds

YouGov survey finds negotiated end to war with Russia is preferred option in four out of seven countries. Readiness to support Ukraine “until it wins” has fallen sharply across western Europe at a ...

The Guardian - 6h

Raging Waves Batter California’s Coast and Its Beloved Piers

An increasingly ferocious and volatile surf is raising questions about the future of the state’s piers, which have defined the coastline for generations.

The New York Times - 1d

At least 1 dead after massive waves batter Northern California coast

At least one person died after massive waves battered Northern California's coast on Monday. A man was trapped by debris that washed up on a beach in Santa Cruz, authorities said. The man was ...

CBS News - 1d

US banking lobby sues Fed over stress test framework

Announcement comes a day after central bank unveiled proposed changes to annual examinations

Financial Times - 1d

Expert tips to support your immune system and stay healthy this winter

With flu levels rising, Dr. Rabia De Latour shares ways to support your immune system and stay healthy during the holidays.

CBS News - 1d

FirstFT: Private equity groups unable to sell or list China-based portfolio companies

Also in today’s newsletter, picks for France’s new cabinet, and Russian cargo ship sinks in the Mediterranean Sea

Financial Times - 2d

US, UK condemn Pakistani military court convictions of Imran Khan supporters

The United States and the United Kingdom have expressed deep concern over the recent handing down of convictions by Pakistani military courts to 25 civilian supporters of former Prime Minister ...

ABC News - 2d

1 dead, 2 missing as Northern California coastline hit by large waves

One person died on a Santa Cruz County beach and two went missing in Monterey County Monday after large waves battered the Northern California coastline amid a high surf warning.

CBS News - 2d

Part of Santa Cruz Wharf in California Collapses in High Surf

Three people were rescued from the wharf. The powerful surf also fatally trapped a man under debris on a beach in Santa Cruz, the authorities said.

The New York Times - 2d

Matt Gaetz Finds Support in His Former District in Florida

Republicans in the Panhandle district he represented before stepping down last month said Mr. Gaetz had done good work in Congress and criticized the report as partisan.

The New York Times - 2d

WATCH: Santa Cruz wharf partially collapses amid high surf warning along California coast

Part of the Santa Cruz Wharf collapsed Monday after being battered by waves amid a high surf warning along the California coast.

ABC News - 2d

California wharf collapse sends 3 people into the ocean

Three people dropped into the ocean Monday when a California wharf partially collapsed.

NBC News - 2d

Texas AG sues NCAA over transgender athletes

Texas has sued the NCAA to stop transgender athletes from competing in women's sports across the state or in sports that involve Texas programs.

ESPN - 2d

Consumer protection board sues Walmart and fintech firm over gig-worker driver pay access

The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau is suing Walmart and a financial technology firm, alleging they illegally forced drivers into using costly deposit accounts to receive their pay.

NBC News - 2d

German Christmas market attack offers far-right fertile ground despite suspect's support

There is deep sadness in the city - and also anger directed at the government and migrants.

BBC News - 2d

Blake Lively sees wide support in lawsuit against co-star Justin Baldoni

Actor filed sexual harassment complaint against director amid allegation he launched smear campaign against her. Blake Lively is picking up broad support in her battle against her It Ends With Us ...

The Guardian - 2d

Anti-vaccine group with ties to RFK Jr. saw another windfall last year, records show

Del Bigtree's Informed Consent Action Network, which advocates against polio, measles, hepatitis and Covid vaccines, brought in $23 million last year, tax records show.

NBC News - 2d

Texas attorney general sues NCAA over transgender athletes competing in women's sports

Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton is suing the NCAA, accusing the association of misleading fans by allowing transgender athletes to participate in women’s events.

NBC News - 2d

5 Ways Scammers Fool You With Fake Tech Support Calls

Seemingly realistic tactics can catch even savvy users unaware.

Inc. - 2d

Defense fund established by supporters of suspected CEO killer nears $200K

Supporters of Luigi Mangione are raising tens of thousands of dollars for his defense fund.

ABC News - 2d

Texas AG Paxton sues NCAA for allowing transgender women to compete

Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton (R) sued the NCAA on Sunday, accusing the organization of engaging in “false, deceptive, and misleading practices” by allowing transgender women to participate in ...

The Hill - 2d

A Pro-Trump Group’s Risky Bet on Infrequent Voters Seems to Have Paid Off

Turning Point Action devoted much of its attention to less reliable voters. New data in Arizona showing a sizable Republican edge among them suggests that the strategy succeeded.

The New York Times - 2d

My sewing group makes reusable produce bags - cutting back on plastic and textile waste

Read more from My DIY climate hack , a series on everyday people’s creative solutions to the climate crisis Single-use plastic bags are not only wasteful, they cause serious damage to the ...

The Guardian - 3d

Environmental Groups Sue over California Support for Polluting Biofuels

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