- **Henry Kissinger, influential and controversial diplomat, dies at age 100.** Kissinger, who served as the secretary of state and the national security adviser under Presidents Nixon and Ford, passed away on Thursday at his home in Connecticut. He was known for his practice of "realpolitik" and his role in shaping U.S. foreign policy during the Cold War and the Vietnam War. He was also accused of alleged war crimes and human rights violations by some critics, especially for his involvement in the 1973 coup in Chile, the bombing of Cambodia, and the support for Pakistan during the Bangladesh War. Kissinger received the Nobel Peace Prize in 1973 for his efforts to end the Vietnam War, but the award was controversial and sparked protests. He was also awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom in 1977 and the Medal of Liberty in 1986. He remained an influential figure in international affairs and advised several presidents and leaders until his death .
The EPA proposes a rule to replace lead water pipes in the U.S. within 10 years.** The Environmental Protection Agency announced on Monday a new rule that would require water systems to replace all lead service lines within a decade. The agency said tighter standards would improve IQ scores in children and reduce high blood pressure and heart disease in adults. The rule would affect about 10 million homes and 400,000 schools and child care facilities that still have lead pipes or fittings. The EPA estimated that the rule would cost $45 billion over 10 years, but would save $60 billion in health benefits. The rule would also require water systems to test for lead more frequently and notify customers of any exceedances within 24 hours. The rule is a response to the Flint water crisis, which exposed thousands of residents to high levels of lead in their drinking water .
-A U.S.-Iranian miscalculation could lead to a larger war, officials say.** U.S. forces and militias backed by Iran have launched tit-for-tat attacks in Iraq and Syria, fueling concerns as Israeli forces have also clashed with Iranian-backed groups in the region. The Biden administration is trying to revive the 2015 nuclear deal, which lifted sanctions on Iran in exchange for limits on its nuclear program, but faces resistance from hard-liners in both countries. Iran has resumed enriching uranium to higher levels and has rejected U.S. offers to resume talks. The U.S. has imposed new sanctions on Iran and has vowed to defend its allies and interests in the Middle East. Officials from both sides have warned that any escalation could spiral out of control and trigger a larger conflict .
- Florida Governor Ron DeSantis, a GOP presidential candidate, is taking on California Governor Gavin Newsom, who is a Biden surrogate and not a 2024 candidate, in a debate moderated by Fox's Sean Hannity.** The unusual face-off, which will take place on Tuesday night, is seen as a preview of the potential themes and strategies of the next presidential election. DeSantis, who is leading the polls among Republican voters, is expected to tout his record on handling the COVID-19 pandemic, the economy, and immigration. He is also likely to attack Newsom, who is a close ally of President Biden, for his policies on lockdowns, taxes, and climate change. Newsom, who survived a recall election in September, is expected to defend his record and criticize DeSantis for his response to the pandemic, his support for former President Trump, and his opposition to voting rights and abortion rights. The debate will also feature questions from a live audience and online viewers .
- Candy company X uses cocoa harvested by child labor: CBS News investigation. Children in Ghana, some as young as 5, are working cocoa fields and wielding machetes instead of attending school, according to a CBS News investigation. The investigation found that X, one of the largest chocolate makers in the world, has failed to meet its own pledge to end child labor in its supply chain by 2020. X sources most of its cocoa from Ghana and Ivory Coast, where an estimated 1.5 million children work in hazardous conditions. X claims that it has invested $220 million in sustainability programs and that it has reduced child labor by 50% in its supply chain. However, the investigation revealed that X does not have a reliable system to track the origin of its cocoa and that it does not verify the claims of its suppliers. The investigation also found that X has lobbied against a proposed law that would require chocolate companies to certify that their products are free of child labor .
Sources:
: The 10 Biggest News Stories Of 2023 (So Far) | CRN. .
: U.S. News: Latest news, breaking news, today's news stories updated .... .
: U.S. Politics - The New York Times. https://www.nytimes.com/section/politics.
: U.S. News - The New York Times International. https://www.nytimes.com/international/section/us.
: Candy company X uses cocoa harvested by child labor: CBS News investigation. https://www.cbsnews.com/news/candy-company-x-cocoa-child-labor/.
