The Daily Populous

In a win for science, NASA told to use House budget as shutdown looms

The situation with the fiscal year 2026 budget for the United States is, to put it politely, kind of a mess.

The White House proposed a budget earlier this year with significant cuts for a number of agencies, including NASA.

In the months since then, through the appropriations process, both the House and Senate have proposed their own budget templates.

However, Congress has not passed a final budget, and the new fiscal year begins on October 1.

In the event of a shutdown, there has been much uncertainty about what would happen to NASA's budget and the agency's science missions.

Earlier this summer, for example, the White House directed science mission leaders to prepare "closeout plans" for about two dozen spacecraft.

This does not support full funding for NASA's science portfolio, but it is far more beneficial than the cuts sought by the White House. »

Ohio Chaplain Freed From Jail as DHS Drops Deportation Case

Authored by propublica.org

An Egyptian chaplain whose detention sparked a community uproar and became a test of counterterrorism powers in immigration court was released from an Ohio jail on Friday as the Department of Homeland Security abruptly withdrew its case against him.

He had been scheduled for an immigration trial next week and faced deportation to Egypt, which he fled in 2014 because of political persecution.

“This is beyond my dreams,” Soliman told ProPublica in a call minutes after he was freed. »

Trump signs proclamation adding $100K annual fee for H-1B visa applications

Authored by apnews.com

Trump also announced he will start selling a “gold card” visa with a path to U.S. citizenship for $1 million after vetting.

Trump announced a $5 million gold card in February to replace an existing investor visa — this is now the platinum card.

First lady Melania Trump, the former Melania Knauss, was granted an H-1B work visa in October 1996 to work as a model. »

Estonia seeks urgent Nato consultation after Russian jets violate airspace

Authored by bbc.com

Estonia has requested a consultation with other Nato members after Russian warplanes violated its airspace on Friday morning.

A Nato spokesperson said it was "yet another example of reckless Russian behaviour and Nato's ability to respond".

But tensions have been escalating recently, after Poland and Romania - both Nato members - said Russian drones breached their airspace. »

Flight attendant avoids jail after being found naked and on drugs

Authored by bbc.com

Naked and high flight attendant 'let himself down'.

A British Airways flight attendant who was found naked and high on drugs in a plane toilet during a transatlantic flight has been told by a judge he "let himself down".

Isleworth Crown Court heard how Pentecost was due to work on a flight from San Francisco to London Heathrow in May. »