Wagner Group Chief Yevgeny Prigozhin returned to Russia following the group’s revolt, Russian fighter jets harassed U.S. drones in Syria, and a man was arrested on his way to former President Barack Obama’s residence. These stories and more highlight the rundown for Thursday, July 6, 2023. 

Wagner Group Chief Yevgeny Prigozhin back in Russia

Wagner Group Chief Yevgeny Prigozhin was reported to be in St. Petersburg, Russia, no longer in Belarus as was agreed upon after June’s brief revolt. This, according to Belarus President Alexander Lukashenko.

Prigozhin moved to Belarus following the group’s revolt against Russia last month as part of an agreement between the two sides to end the rebellion. Prigozhin and his mercenaries received security guarantees in exchange for an end to the uprising.

Prigozhin’s presence in Russia was seen as part of agreements that allowed him to finalize his affairs in Russia. However, much remains unclear about the terms of the deal and whether it is being implemented as agreed.

Russia fighter jets harass U.S. drones in Syria

Three U.S. drones were conducting a mission against ISIS targets in Syria when three Russian fighter jets approached the drones and began harassing them. According to Air Force Lt. Gen. Alexus Grynkewich, the commander of the Ninth Air Force and the Combined Forces Air Component for U.S. Central Command, the Russian jets dropped multiple parachute flares in front of the U.S. hunter-killer drones, forcing them to take evasive measures.

“Russian military aircraft engaged in unsafe and unprofessional behavior while interacting with U.S. aircraft in Syria,” Grynkewich said. “Against established norms and protocols, the Russian jets dropped multiple parachute flares in front of the drones, forcing our aircraft to conduct evasive maneuvers.”

In March, the U.S. accused Russia of flying jets over U.S. military bases in Syria nearly every day. The U.S. has reported several provoking interactions involving Russia, not only in Syria but also over the Black Sea.

Man arrested by Obama’s residence after Trump posted address

A man was arrested last week near the home of former President Obama. 37-year-old Taylor Taranto allegedly talked about finding the entrance to the Obama’s home using the sewer system.

According to prosecutors, Taranto got the idea to go to the Obama’s residence after former President Trump reportedly posted Obama’s address on his social media site Truth Social.

Taranto had two firearms in his van but 18 guns are registered to him. He is currently in jail on charges related to the Jan. 6 insurrection.

Prosecutors have asked for Taranto to remain jailed until trial. Taranto has allegedly made threats toward House Speaker Kevin McCarthy (R-CA) and Rep. Jamie Raskin (D-MD).

Biden administration to appeal big tech collusion ruling

The Biden administration will appeal a federal court ruling that bans government officials from contacting social media companies because of concerns over collusion. The judge created the boundary between government and big tech in a ruling on Wednesday.

The lawsuit, brought forth by Republican-led states, alleged First Amendment rights were being violated when social media posts about COVID-19 vaccines or election fraud were flagged or removed. Other content like Hunter Biden’s laptop and COVID-19 lab leak origin theories were also cited in the lawsuit as being censored, allegedly with a helping hand from the government.

The judge ruled agencies like the Department of Health and Human Services and the FBI must limit their contact with Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook. The DOJ will appeal, according to the latest court documents.

Canada to end advertising on Meta platforms

Canada’s government will no longer be posting advertisements on Facebook or Instagram. The announcement is the latest tit-for-tat over Canada’s new law that will require social media companies to pay news organizations for its content shared on these platforms.

Meta decided it wasn’t going to pay for news posts, so it blocked access to news content on its platforms. Canada called Meta’s decision to remove news rather than comply and pay a cop-out.

The country announced it is ending federal government ad spending on Facebook and Instagram. Canada spends more than $7 million in Meta advertisements per year.

Meta is not the only big tech platform that is opposed to Canada’s new Online News Act. Google said it will be blocking Canadian news when the bill takes effect in six months.

Earth’s average temperature remains at a record high

The earth has never been hotter than it’s been this week, according to satellite data used by the University of Maine. On Monday, the world’s temperature reached an all-time high with an average temperature of 62.6 degrees Fahrenheit.

On Tuesday, the record was broke again. On Wednesday, for a third day straight, the earth was emitting heat at a peak temperature, coming in at 62.9 degrees. The data has been recorded since 1979.

“Temperatures have been unusual over the ocean and especially around the Antarctic this week, because wind fronts over the Southern Ocean are strong pushing warm air deeper south,” said Raghu Murtugudde, professor of atmospheric, oceanic and earth system science at the University of Maryland.