Editor’s Note: This listicle is part of a weekly series by The Ball State Daily News summarizing five stories from across the United States. All summaries are based on stories published by The Associated Press.
The United Nations climate talks, the Trump-Biden Ukraine controversy, Walmart’s decision to quit selling e-cigarettes, the General Motors strike and people storming the gates of Area 51 make up this week’s five national stories.
‘You are failing us’: Plans, frustration at UN climate talks
Following Friday’s global climate protests, Swedish teenage climate activist Greta Thunberg shamed world leaders Monday at the United Nations Climate Action Summit repeating the phrase: “How dare you?” While world and business leaders made promises, the United States did not ask to speak at the summit. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres had told countries they couldn’t be on the agenda without making bold new proposals.
Read more: Climate
The story behind Biden’s son, Ukraine and Trump’s claims
In 2014, when then-Vice President Joe Biden was at the forefront of American diplomatic efforts in Ukraine, his son Hunter Biden was named paid board member of Ukrainian gas company Burisma Holdings. The Obama White House said at the time there was no conflict and there’s been no evidence of wrongdoing by either Biden, but the matter resurfaced following revelations that President Donald Trump prodded Ukraine’s president to help him investigate Joe Biden.
Read more: Ukraine
Walmart to quit selling e-cigarettes amid vaping backlash
The nation’s largest retailer Walmart said Friday that it will stop selling electronic cigarettes at its namesake stores and Sam’s Clubs in the U.S. when it sells out its current inventory. The retailer said the move is due to “growing federal, state and local regulatory complexity” regarding vaping products. It also comes after several hundred people have mysteriously fallen ill after vaping, and at least eight have died.
Read more: Vaping
GM strike enters 2nd week with no clear end in sight
The strike against General Motors (GM) by 49,000 United Auto Workers (UAW) entered its second week Monday with progress in negotiations but no clear end in sight. The strike forced GM to shut down two Canadian factories, consumers will start to see fewer vehicles on dealer lots and workers will have to start living on $250 per week in strike pay starting this week. This is the first UAW national strike since 2007 when it shut down GM for two days.
Read more: Strikes
Area 51 festival wraps up in Nevada; Earthlings head home
People from around the world headed home Sunday after spending a weekend in the Nevada desert and trekking to the Area 51 gates. More than 2 million Facebook users said they were interested in storming the formerly top-secret military base to “see them aliens,” but total visitors in the Nevada city of Rachel in Lincoln County peaked at 3,000 on Friday. Six people were arrested in the county during the weekend for misdemeanors.