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July 24 2000 UTC Brief
In the U.K. and abroad
Two RAF Typhoons were scrambled from Coningsby to intercept a Qatar Airways Boeing 777 flying from Doha to Manchester after a Quick Reaction Alert was triggered over a flight that was causing concern to civil authorities. The aircraft landed safely at Manchester Airport, and the reason for the alert has not been fully established, though a threat was understood to be involved.
In Chile, a severe storm system has killed at least 13 people, left four missing, and affected nearly 65,000 residents. Officials estimate the damage at more than $700 million.
In business and the courts
Paramount Skydance has agreed with a coalition of state attorneys general not to close its $111 billion Warner Bros. Discovery deal until after a federal antitrust trial, with the merger barred from closing until five days after that trial ends.
Warner Bros. Discovery is also suing Amazon, accusing it of trying to poach contracted employees, including HBO marketing veteran Pia Barlow, in an effort to benefit from the work of established Hollywood companies. The entertainment industry, once again discovering that legal disputes can be more efficient than strategy memos.
House Democrats have opened an inquiry into StubHub CEO Eric Baker, asking for information about allegations that he gave himself preferential treatment on the platform and harmed consumers and smaller sellers. The focus is on possible market manipulation and self-dealing.
In U.S. politics and public policy
Democrats are moving South Carolina to the front of their 2028 presidential primary calendar, with a DNC rules committee recommending the state stay first. New Hampshire would still likely hold an earlier contest under state law, but the party’s official calendar would put South Carolina at the top, with Michigan first in the Midwest and New Mexico and Virginia joining the opening month.
Separately, the TSA is expanding a program that lets some airports use private security screeners, prompting union warnings about jobs and safety. Tampa, Des Moines, and Charleston have joined the Gold+ program, while DHS says the move could save money and TSA says current employees would get first refusal on jobs.
In the courts
A broad roundup of appellate rulings this week covered searches, sentencing, deportation, civil-rights claims, and the limits of agency power after Chevron. Among the more notable items, the First Circuit ruled that Massachusetts parents can be forced to choose between private school and special-education services, while other cases touched on courtroom closures, prison litigation, defamation jurisdiction, and a pending Supreme Court review over whether Alaska can forfeit an airplane over a passenger’s six-pack.
Obituaries
Chuck Russell, the director of The Mask and A Nightmare on Elm Street 3: Dream Warriors, has died at 74 in the San Diego area. His death was confirmed by his attorney.
About
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