QUICK HITS

1 Plan to install new leaders in Haiti appears to crumble after political parties reject it:

A proposal to install new leadership in Haiti appears to be crumbling as some political parties rejected the plan to create a presidential council that would manage the transition. The panel would be responsible for selecting an interim prime minister and a council of ministers that would attempt to chart a new path for the Caribbean country that has been overrun by gangs. The violence has closed schools and businesses and disrupted daily life across Haiti.

2 Lawsuit against Meghan Markle dismissed:

A federal judge in Florida on Tuesday dismissed a defamation case against Dutchess of Sussex Meghan Markle. Samantha Markle, the defendant’s half-sister who shares the same father as Meghan, said the publicity from several high-profile interviews led to people turning against her and seeing her as “an opportunist trying to cash in on her sister’s success and fame, despite having no relationship with her.” She was seeking damages in excess of $75,000.

Colorado lawmakers propose 3 fee on alcohol producers to fund addiction programs:

A bill set to be unveiled in the Colorado legislature would levy a new fee on businesses that produce alcoholic beverages, then direct tens of millions of dollars collected each year to addiction treatment and recovery programs. Funds also would go toward prevention programs, harm reduction, impaired driving enforcement, or services for people born with fetal alcohol spectrum disorders.

Chicago should set limits 4 on buildings’ greenhouse gas emissions, report says:

A new report from Urban Land Institute Chicago calls on the city to limit emissions from certain buildings, using an approach already in place in New York. The emission limits would grow stricter over a “realistic timeline,” pushing buildings to replace planetwarming fossil fuels with clean energy. The report also called for technical and financial assistance programs.

Australia faces nuclear 5 submarine concerns as US order cut:

The Australian government is playing down concerns over the delivery schedule for its fleet of nuclear-powered submarines after the Biden administration reduced orders for new vessels in its latest defense budget. The U.S. will produce just one Virginia-class submarine in 2025, down from an anticipated two, raising questions over its ability to fulfill a commitment under the AUKUS security partnership to sell Australia up to five of the nuclear-powered vessels starting from 2032. The AUKUS agreement, signed in 2021, aims to counter China’s growing influence and military presence in the Indo-Pacific region.