Happy Friday, Panthers! This year, Cupid is not only bringing Valentine’s Day, he is also bringing our much-needed Winter Break. Whatever your opinion is on Valentine’s Day, everyone loves a break! While you are resting, take a look at this week’s KICs. This week, we have threats of black carbon in the Arctic being overshadowed by geopolitics, Trump facing backlash for ICE and DHS with potential shutdown, billboards honoring a mom one year after her death, and Pam Bondi defending the Justice Department’s handling of the Epstein files.
World – Threats of black carbon in the Arctic overshadowed by geopolitics
Due to the increased melting of ice caps in the Arctic, more waterways are opening up to ships. These ships release more carbon that causes the ice to melt even faster.
The soot from the ships sits on the ice and absorbs the heat from the sun instead of reflecting it like the white ice does. In December, France, Germany, Denmark, and the Solomon Islands proposed that the Maritime Organization require ships to use “Polar fuels.” These fuels are lighter and release less carbon emissions.
A ban of residual heavy fuel oil in 2024 has been ineffective due to loopholes. The push to reduce carbon emissions in the arctic has been second to geopolitics.
National – Trump faces backlash for DHS and ICE with potential shutdown
Americans are frustrated with the Trump administration’s crackdown with more reports of extreme ICE arrests within the last week. Democrats are now drawing a hard line against another short-term funding bill that would fund ICE coming from the Department of Homeland Security.
Currently, there are just over four days until the current funding for ICE is predicted to run out. Members of the Senate Democratic Caucus say they will not support another continuing resolution to prevent a shutdown. Democrats have now released 10 demands for changes to ICE and DHS enforcement, which might include judicial warrants to enter private property and making agents wear identification.
ICE was given $75 billion in funding by Trump’s Big, Beautiful Bill that may help ICE continue operating during a shutdown. Some political parties are still hopeful that there will be a deal to fund DHS and prevent a shutdown.
State – Billboards honor brain-dead mom a year later
Adriana Smith, a 30-year-old mother, was declared brain dead while two months pregnant. It became a big point for critics and lawmaker and sparked the need for legal clarification in the state’s restrictive abortion and life-support statutes.
They honored her memory by displaying multiple digital billboards across Atlanta and announced it on Facebook. They aim to have her daughter’s story remain public. The family also faced legal hurdles regarding Smith’s son, because Smith and the son’s father were not married.
Laws in Georgia govern immediate parental rights. The father was forced to go to court and get full custody.
Politics – Pam Bondi defends Justice Department’s handling of Epstein files
On February 11, Pam Bondi, the US Attorney General, testified in front of the House of Representatives regarding the Epstein files. During her four-hour hearing, she vehemently defended the current administration.
At points throughout her testimony, Bondi engaged in heated arguments with the representatives, oftentimes resulting in shouting matches between both sides. At one point, she reportedly called a Democrat a “washed-up loser,” while another lawmaker is said to have stormed out. When faced with the victims of the predators within the files, Bondi showed an unapologetic attitude.
When asked to apologize to the victims that the Department or Justice failed to help, Bondi said, “I’m not going to get in the gutter with this woman.” Epstein survivor Marina Larcerda, speaking to BBC news about the DOJ’s lack of response, said, “She has totally ignored us, just like she did today.”