Today’s edition of quick hits.
* In Latin America: “The Trump administration imposed sanctions Friday on Colombian President Gustavo Petro, his family and a member of his government over accusations of involvement in the global drug trade, sharply escalating tensions with the leftist leader of one of the closest U.S. allies in South America.”
* In the Caribbean: “At least 3 people have been killed in Haiti as Tropical Storm Melissa causes devastating flooding in the Caribbean, and meteorologists warn the storm could become a Category 4 hurricane. The National Hurricane Center in Miami warned of ‘life-threatening and catastrophic flash flooding and landslides’ throughout the weekend in Jamaica and southern Hispaniola, the island that comprises Haiti and the Dominican Republic.”
* This wasn’t exactly what the White House wanted to see from the Israeli Knesset: “A bill applying Israeli law to the occupied West Bank, a move tantamount to annexation of land which Palestinians want for a state, won preliminary approval from Israel’s parliament on Wednesday.”
* On a related note: “Top U.S. officials have hit out at the Israeli parliament’s move toward annexing the already occupied West Bank, labeling it an ‘insult’ that could damage Washington’s efforts to keep the Gaza ceasefire on track and build toward a more lasting peace deal.”
* In Virginia: “New York Attorney General Letitia James pleaded not guilty Friday to a mortgage fraud indictment secured by a Donald Trump loyalist after the president demanded James and other political opponents be charged.”
* John Williams’ work is not a crime: “A Washington, D.C., resident who drew attention to the deployment of the National Guard in the district by playing ‘The Imperial March’ from ‘Star Wars’ is now suing after he was detained in what he argues was a violation of his rights while protesting.”
* That we knew this was coming doesn’t make it any less disappointing: “The Trump administration on Thursday announced a plan to allow oil and gas drilling in Alaska’s Arctic National Wildlife Refuge, one of the largest remaining tracts of pristine wilderness in the United States.” * The next time the White House boasts about its commitment to transparency, keep this in mind: “Donald Trump is apparently so proud of the ballroom he’s building at the White House that he doesn’t want anyone to see the construction in progress. On Thursday, the Secret Service closed off access to the Ellipse park, where journalists were taking pictures and video of the demolition of the White House’s East Wing.” * The politicization of the arts continues apace: “The National Symphony Orchestra has begun to open all its performances with the national anthem, the latest indication of how President Trump is putting his imprint on the Kennedy Center, the orchestra’s home.” Have a safe weekend.
Steve Benen is a producer for "The Rachel Maddow Show," the editor of MaddowBlog and an MS NOW political contributor. He's also the bestselling author of "Ministry of Truth: Democracy, Reality, and the Republicans' War on the Recent Past."
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