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2,000 US troops told to be ready to deploy

Laura L. Davis   Paste BN

U.S. soldiers put on notice to deploy in response to the Israel-Hamas conflict. Pharmacy chain Rite Aid files for bankruptcy as it battles losses and lawsuits. And if you're wondering about getting a COVID booster, we'll tell you what to consider before rolling up your sleeve.

👋 Hey! Laura Davis here. Hope you had a good weekend! Did you catch a glimpse of the “ring of fire” eclipse on Saturday? It was partially visible here in Denver, so I was able to get a pretty good look! Check out these cool photos we collected. Oh – and don’t forget Monday’s news! 👇

But first: How much is that remote job worth? 🤔 Three years into the work-from-home revolution, remote workers are reporting increased quality of life and boosted savings accounts. So, how much less would people accept in pay for a remote job?

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2,000 US troops told to prepare to deploy

As the death toll on both sides of the war rises, about 2,000 U.S. troops have been told to get ready to deploy − possibly to the Middle East − in anticipation of an Israeli ground invasion of Gaza aimed at crushing the Hamas militant group that rules the war-battered enclave. The American soldiers would not be sent to Israel but could be assigned to other countries in the region for support roles such as medical assistance or providing security at gate crossings.

Also on Monday: Palestinians seeking refuge crowded into hospitals and schools as supplies of food, water and medicine ran low during a tight Israeli blockade of Gaza. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu warned Iran and Hezbollah not to interfere in his country's military actions prompted by Hamas' brutal killing rampage into Israel nine days ago. “Don’t test us in the north. Don’t make the mistake of the past," Netanyahu said. 👉 Follow our live coverage.

Opioid lawsuits, slow sales equal bankruptcy for Rite Aid

Rite Aid is not all right. As it battles slumping sales and a slew of lawsuits, the drugstore chain filed for bankruptcy Sunday and plans to close an unknown number of stores.

  • What happened? One of the largest pharmacy chains in the country, Rite Aid has in recent years struggled to keep up with competitors like CVS and Walgreens as it faces legal hurdles related to accusations that it helped fuel the opioid epidemic.
  • What does it mean for customers? The Philadelphia-based company has more than 2,000 stores in 17 states. Most customers won’t have to worry about disruptions to their ability to shop or fill prescriptions at their local stores – unless, of course, that store is now slated to close. But it's not known which stores will close or when.

💊 What you need to know about Rite Aid's legal woes and plans to stay afloat.

What everyone's talking about

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DOJ reaches settlement in Trump-era border separation suit

Families separated at the U.S.-Mexico border under former President Donald Trump’s “zero tolerance” policy would receive an easier path to asylum, permission to work in the U.S. and medical, legal and housing benefits, under a settlement filed Monday in a long-standing lawsuit between immigrant advocates and the federal government.

  • How did we get here? The Trump administration’s policy directed Border Patrol agents to separate young children from their families, as their parents were tried in court for crossing into the U.S. without proper documentation. The policy was rescinded within months. But by then, thousands of children had been taken from their parents, many of whom had already been deported.
  • What else would the settlement do? If approved, it would expand the number of families who qualify from 3,900 to more than 4,400. It would bar the federal government from launching similar policies in the future. And though it does not address monetary payouts, it does offer medical and behavioral health services for families, something activists have been pressing for for years.

🔎 A closer look at the settlement, lawsuit and the policy's effect on mental health.

Should you get a COVID booster? 

More than 7 million Americans have gotten an updated COVID-19 vaccine since shots rolled out last month. But many people are still on the fence about whether and when to get a shot. Experts say it should depend on your health status, risk tolerance, timing of the last infection and other personal factors. The new booster is targeted to the XBB.1.5 variant, which is no longer in circulation. However, studies suggest the vaccine will still prevent severe disease from other variants that are more common now. 💉 Here are 7 things to think about before getting a booster shot.

A break from the news

Laura L. Davis is an Audience Editor at Paste BN. Say hello: laura@usatoday.com. This is a compilation of stories from across the Paste BN Network. Support quality journalism like this? Subscribe to Paste BN here.

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