National

Just days away from summer's end, Canada's worst wildfire season on record isn't letting up.

Why it matters: The fires have forced thousands of people to flee their homes and likely caused billions of dollars in damages and economic losses.

Threat level: The fires have released hundreds of megatonnes of carbon dioxide that will contribute to global warming, which made the blazes more likely and intense to begin with.

Wildfire smoke, as pictured above, has repeatedly degraded air quality in cities across North America, even at times crossing the Atlantic Ocean to affect European skies.

By the numbers: Over 900 fires were burning across Canada on Wednesday, including more than 500 that were out of control.

So far, over 6,300 fires have burned an estimated 43.4 million acres — an area almost the size of Oklahoma.

State of play: Fire seasons typically taper off and are mostly over by the end of October, but Canadian officials say this year is unprecedented.

Dozens of blazes have formed massive smoke-infused storm clouds, called pyrocumulonimbus, that blast large amounts of smoke particles into Earth's atmosphere.

The big picture: The U.S. has had a below-average season in terms of acreage burned, but the number of fires it has had is mostly in line with 10-year averages.

Canada's awful summer gives way to a burning fall

The fires have forced thousands of people to flee their homes and likely caused billions of dollars.

A massive wildfire smoke plume emitted by Alberta wildfires swirls above the Arctic Sept. 16. Image: EU, Copernicus Sentinel-3.

Wildfires

Climate change

Just days away from summer&#x27;s end, <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Canada&#x27;s worst wildfire season" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2023/06/29/canada-wildfire-season-worst-record" data-vars-content-id="7c3849b4-77d9-47b8-950e-d43aebbb6d08" data-vars-headline="Canada&#x27;s awful summer gives way to a burning fall" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2023/06/29/canada-wildfire-season-worst-record" target="_self">Canada&#x27;s worst wildfire season</a> on record isn&#x27;t letting up.Why it matters: The fires have forced <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="thousands of people" data-vars-click-url="https://link.axios.com/click/32784070.48953/aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuYXhpb3MuY29tLzIwMjMvMDgvMTgvd2lsZGZpcmVzLWNhbmFkYS1ldmFjdWF0aW9uLW5vcnRod2VzdC10ZXJyaXRvcmllcz91dG1fc291cmNlPW5ld3NsZXR0ZXImdXRtX21lZGl1bT1lbWFpbCZ1dG1fY2FtcGFpZ249bmV3c2xldHRlcl9heGlvc2dlbmVyYXRlJnN0cmVhbT10b3A/631f6fd43950fd001100f388B5694c37e" data-vars-content-id="7c3849b4-77d9-47b8-950e-d43aebbb6d08" data-vars-headline="Canada&#x27;s awful summer gives way to a burning fall" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://link.axios.com/click/32784070.48953/aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuYXhpb3MuY29tLzIwMjMvMDgvMTgvd2lsZGZpcmVzLWNhbmFkYS1ldmFjdWF0aW9uLW5vcnRod2VzdC10ZXJyaXRvcmllcz91dG1fc291cmNlPW5ld3NsZXR0ZXImdXRtX21lZGl1bT1lbWFpbCZ1dG1fY2FtcGFpZ249bmV3c2xldHRlcl9heGlvc2dlbmVyYXRlJnN0cmVhbT10b3A/631f6fd43950fd001100f388B5694c37e" target="_blank">thousands of people</a> to flee their homes and likely caused <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="billions of dollars" data-vars-click-url="https://link.axios.com/click/32784070.48953/aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cubnl0aW1lcy5jb20vMjAyMy8wNy8wMy9idXNpbmVzcy9lY29ub215L2NhbmFkYS13aWxkZmlyZXMtZWNvbm9teS5odG1sP3V0bV9zb3VyY2U9bmV3c2xldHRlciZ1dG1fbWVkaXVtPWVtYWlsJnV0bV9jYW1wYWlnbj1uZXdzbGV0dGVyX2F4aW9zZ2VuZXJhdGUmc3RyZWFtPXRvcA/631f6fd43950fd001100f388B19e499aa" data-vars-content-id="7c3849b4-77d9-47b8-950e-d43aebbb6d08" data-vars-headline="Canada&#x27;s awful summer gives way to a burning fall" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://link.axios.com/click/32784070.48953/aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cubnl0aW1lcy5jb20vMjAyMy8wNy8wMy9idXNpbmVzcy9lY29ub215L2NhbmFkYS13aWxkZmlyZXMtZWNvbm9teS5odG1sP3V0bV9zb3VyY2U9bmV3c2xldHRlciZ1dG1fbWVkaXVtPWVtYWlsJnV0bV9jYW1wYWlnbj1uZXdzbGV0dGVyX2F4aW9zZ2VuZXJhdGUmc3RyZWFtPXRvcA/631f6fd43950fd001100f388B19e499aa" target="_blank">billions of dollars</a> in damages and economic losses.

Ominous forecasts about the impact of climate change serve as the backdrop for the world — led by U.S. lawmakers and companies — to debate big action on the problem, which could upend energy systems and our way of life.

Energy & Environment

Hunter Biden will have to physically appear in court for his arraignment on gun charges on Sept. 26 after a Delaware magistrate judge on Wednesday denied his request appear by video.

Why it matters: Biden is expected to plead not guilty to the three firearm charges filed against him in an indictment requested by special counsel David Weiss last week.

The indictment came after Biden's plea deal over two tax misdemeanors and a gun felony fell apart and was rejected by a judge in July.

The big picture: Biden in total faces the two tax misdemeanors, two counts related to false statements in purchasing a firearm and a third count of illegally obtaining a firearm while addicted to narcotics.

His lawyers argued in a filing on Tuesday that he should be able to appear by video because the court knew beforehand he would plead not guilty.

They said that the in-person appearance would unnecessarily use governmental resources, as Secret Service agents would have to accompany Biden to the courthouse.

Government prosecutors opposed the request.

What they're saying: Magistrate Judge Christopher Burke said Wednesday that while the court was aware of the logistical issues, the court agreed with government prosecutors that Biden "should not receive special treatment in this matter."

Zoom out: Burke's ruling came as Attorney General Merrick Garland  defended the Department of Justice's investigation into Hunter Biden before Republicans on the House Judiciary Committee.

Garland elevated Weiss, a Trump appointee, to the status of special counsel to oversee the investigation earlier this year.

Go deeper:  "I am not the president's lawyer": Garland defends DOJ before House GOP

Editor's note: This article has been updated with new details throughout.

"I am not the president's lawyer": Garland defends DOJ before House GOP

Hunter Biden to appear in person for arraignment over gun charges next week

A judge denied Biden's request appear by video and set Sept. 26 for his arraignment date.

Hunter Biden leaving a federal courthouse in Wilmington, Delaware, in July 2023.

Hunter Biden leaving a federal courthouse in Wilmington, Delaware, in July 2023. Photo: Mark Makela/Getty Images

Hunter Biden

<a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Hunter Biden" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2023/09/14/hunter-biden-indictment-gun-charges" data-vars-content-id="8d49d7a7-6d78-48a0-9db6-a512a99b7e48" data-vars-headline="Hunter Biden to appear in person for arraignment over gun charges next week" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2023/09/14/hunter-biden-indictment-gun-charges" target="_self">Hunter Biden</a> will have to physically appear in court for his arraignment on gun charges on Sept. 26 after a Delaware magistrate judge on Wednesday <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="denied" data-vars-click-url="https://storage.courtlistener.com/recap/gov.uscourts.ded.82797/gov.uscourts.ded.82797.40.0.pdf" data-vars-content-id="8d49d7a7-6d78-48a0-9db6-a512a99b7e48" data-vars-headline="Hunter Biden to appear in person for arraignment over gun charges next week" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://storage.courtlistener.com/recap/gov.uscourts.ded.82797/gov.uscourts.ded.82797.40.0.pdf" target="_blank">denied</a> his request appear by video.Why it matters: Biden is expected to <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="plead not guilty" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2023/09/19/hunter-biden-gun-charges-plea-hearing" data-vars-content-id="8d49d7a7-6d78-48a0-9db6-a512a99b7e48" data-vars-headline="Hunter Biden to appear in person for arraignment over gun charges next week" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2023/09/19/hunter-biden-gun-charges-plea-hearing" target="_self">plead not guilty</a> to the three firearm charges filed against him in an indictment requested by special counsel David Weiss last week.

President Biden has made the COVID-19 crisis and a post-Trump return to national unity and traditional democratic ideals his top priorities. From vaccinations to stimulus to schools, Biden is seeking bipartisan compromise while showing a willingness to use executive authority and bare Democratic majorities in the U.S. House and Senate to implement his policies. Republican leaders are navigating deep party divisions over if and how to move beyond former President Trump.

Politics & Policy

Nearly half of U.S. adults say they believe President Biden "definitely" or "probably" did something illegal in relation to his son, Hunter, according to a recent poll.

Why it matters: The results suggest Republicans' relentless messaging around the president's alleged corruption has broken through with a portion of voters, even as Democrats and some Republicans highlight the lack of evidence for the claims.

Driving the news: The Yahoo News/YouGov survey of 1,636 people found that the number of registered independents who said they believed the president had broken the law in regards to Hunter was even higher, at 54%. 

The big picture: House Republicans have launched an impeachment inquiry into the president over his alleged involvement in his son's business affairs while serving as vice president.

Biden has said on multiple occasions that he never discussed any business dealings with Hunter or his associates, and that the impeachment inquiry would not distract him from his presidential duties.

The impeachment inquiry has been criticized by other Republicans, such as Rep. Ken Buck (Col.), who said last week that his colleagues lack evidence of the president's involvement.

Republicans in the Senate, such as Sen. J.D. Vance (R-Ohio), have also warned that the inquiry could "backfire" on the party if it goes "further than the evidence."

By the numbers: Among all respondents, 46% said they approved of the House launching the impeachment inquiry, 32% disapproved, and 22% weren't sure. 

The vast majority of Republicans (86%) said they approved, however.

Backstory: Hunter Biden has admitted to receiving hundreds of thousands of dollars through foreign business deals, including with Chinese firms.

One of Hunter's former associates also told Congress earlier this year that he leveraged the Biden family name in business deals, but stressed that it was never in consultation or collaboration with Joe Biden.

The associate also said Joe Biden did speak to Hunter's business associates over the phone, but the conversations never involved business activities.

Hunter Biden has not been charged over his business activities, but he does face two tax misdemeanors and three gun-related charges. 

What's next: House Republicans are set to hold their first impeachment inquiry hearing on Sept. 28.

Methodology: 1,636 U.S. adults were interviewed online between Sept. 14 and 18 and the margin of error is approximately ± 2.7 percentage points.

Go deeper: Sen. Vance: Impeachment could backfire if GOP goes "further than the evidence"

Sen. Vance: Impeachment could backfire if GOP goes "further than the evidence"

Nearly half of voters believe Biden broke law in regards to son Hunter: poll

46% of those surveyed also approved of House Republicans' impeachment inquiry into Biden.

President Biden at the White House on Sept. 17. Photo: Tasos Katopodis/Getty Images

Joe Biden

Nearly half of U.S. adults say they believe <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="President Biden" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2023/09/12/mccarthy-biden-impeachment-inquiry" data-vars-content-id="a23c80af-1f02-402e-9cec-411ef181ffe3" data-vars-headline="Nearly half of voters believe Biden broke law in regards to son Hunter: poll" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2023/09/12/mccarthy-biden-impeachment-inquiry" target="_self">President Biden</a> &quot;definitely&quot; or &quot;probably&quot; did something illegal in relation to his son, Hunter, according to a recent poll.Why it matters: The results suggest Republicans&#x27; relentless messaging around the president&#x27;s alleged corruption has broken through with a portion of voters, even as Democrats and some Republicans highlight the lack of evidence for the claims.

The military will begin reviewing cases involving LGBTQ+ veterans who may have been forced out of the service under its "don't ask, don't tell" (DADT) policy.

Why it matters: Thousands of veterans could receive retroactive honorable discharges, giving them access to the full amount of benefits for their service.

The Defense Department announced the initiative Wednesday on the 12th anniversary of the end of the policy, which operated between 1994 and 2011.

The policy strictly prohibited LGBTQ+ people in the military from revealing their sexual orientations or speaking about their relationships without being discharged.

Former President Obama repealed the policy in 2011 by certifying legislation that was passed by Congress in 2010.

By the numbers: At least 32,837 LGBTQ  service members between 1980 and 2011 were forced out of the military under DADT and other policies that prevented them from serving, according to Defense Department data.

Over 14,000 of those service members received general, other than honorable, uncharacterized or unknown discharge or separation characterizations throughout those decades.

Any discharge below honorable would have prevented those service members from receiving the full spectrum of veterans benefits.

What they're saying: The Pentagon for the last decade has attempting making it easier for veterans who may have been discharged based on their sexual orientation to obtain corrective relief, Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin said.

"For decades, our LGBTQ+ Service members were forced to hide or were prevented from serving altogether. Even still, they selflessly put themselves in harm's way for the good of our country and the American people," Austin said.

"Unfortunately, too many of them were discharged from the military based on their sexual orientation – and for many this left them without access to the benefits and services they earned."

The big picture: As of March 2023, a total of 1,406 DADT-related record correction applications have so far been approved by the review boards of the Army, Navy, Marines and Air Force.

On average, those four branches have approved 87% of the applications they received.

Go deeper: Marine Corps grounds planes after debris from missing U.S. fighter jet found

Marine Corps grounds planes after debris from missing U.S. fighter jet found

Pentagon to review cases of LGBTQ+ veterans denied honorable discharges

Thousands of former service members could receive retroactive honorable discharges.

The Department of Defense seal on a podium at a press conference in August 2023.

The Department of Defense seal on a podium at a press conference in August 2023. Photo: Celal Gunes/Anadolu Agency via Getty Images

Department of Defense (DOD)

The military will begin reviewing cases involving LGBTQ+ veterans who may have been forced out of the service under its <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="&quot;don&#x27;t ask, don&#x27;t tell&quot;" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2021/09/25/dont-ask-dont-tell-repeal-military" data-vars-content-id="ccca240c-0231-48aa-8e9b-dd150258141c" data-vars-headline="Pentagon to review cases of LGBTQ+ veterans denied honorable discharges" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2021/09/25/dont-ask-dont-tell-repeal-military" target="_self">&quot;don&#x27;t ask, don&#x27;t tell&quot;</a> (DADT) policy.Why it matters: Thousands of veterans could receive retroactive honorable discharges, giving them access to the full amount of benefits for their service.

The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) on Thursday extended deportation protections for Afghan refugees who fled their homes after the U.S. fully withdrew its forces from Afghanistan in August 2021.

Why it matters: Because of the extensions, thousands of refugees without proper documentation will not have to face the prospect of returning to Afghanistan and live under the Taliban's draconian government for another 18 months.

Many of them will also be allowed to keep their work permits.

Of note: In addition to extending the Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for around 3,100 people, the DHS also expanded who is eligible for the status to around  14,600 additional Afghan nationals.

It said the extension and expansion was necessary because of ongoing conflict in the country, as well as food and water insecurity, a lack of health care, destroyed infrastructure and economic instability.

What they're saying: "Today's announcement to extend and redesignate TPS for Afghanistan allows us to continue to offer safety and protection to Afghan nationals who are unable to return to their country," said Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas said.

"DHS will continue to support Afghan nationals through this temporary form of humanitarian relief."

The big picture: The Biden administration and DHS on Wednesday also extended TPS to nearly a half-million Venezuelan nationals because of ongoing humanitarian, security, political and environmental concerns in the country.

Go deeper: Mexican families cross U.S. border in unprecedented numbers

Mexican families cross U.S. border in unprecedented numbers

Biden admin offers thousands of Afghan refugees temporary protections

Thousands refugees will not have to face returning to Taliban-controlled Afghanistan.

U.S. military police walking past Afghan refugees at an Army base in Ft. McCoy, Wisconsin, in September 2021.

U.S. military police walking past Afghan refugees at an Army base in Ft. McCoy, Wisconsin, in September 2021. Photo: Barbara Davidson/Getty Images

Department of Homeland Security (DHS)

President Biden with Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas at FEMA offices in Florida earlier this year.

Afghanistan

The <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Department of Homeland Security" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2023/09/12/homeland-security-drones-chemical-attack-terrorists" data-vars-content-id="ed34d8d5-2d6c-477b-abeb-de450f770659" data-vars-headline="Biden admin offers thousands of Afghan refugees temporary protections" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2023/09/12/homeland-security-drones-chemical-attack-terrorists" target="_self">Department of Homeland Security</a> (DHS) on Thursday <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="extended" data-vars-click-url="https://www.dhs.gov/news/2023/09/21/secretary-mayorkas-announces-extension-and-redesignation-afghanistan-temporary" data-vars-content-id="ed34d8d5-2d6c-477b-abeb-de450f770659" data-vars-headline="Biden admin offers thousands of Afghan refugees temporary protections" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.dhs.gov/news/2023/09/21/secretary-mayorkas-announces-extension-and-redesignation-afghanistan-temporary" target="_blank">extended</a> deportation protections for Afghan refugees who fled their homes after the <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="U.S. fully withdrew" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2023/04/06/us-report-afghanistan-withdrawal-evacuation-late" data-vars-content-id="ed34d8d5-2d6c-477b-abeb-de450f770659" data-vars-headline="Biden admin offers thousands of Afghan refugees temporary protections" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2023/04/06/us-report-afghanistan-withdrawal-evacuation-late" target="_self">U.S. fully withdrew</a> its forces from Afghanistan in August 2021.Why it matters: Because of the extensions, thousands of refugees without proper documentation will not have to face the prospect of returning to Afghanistan and live under the <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Taliban&#x27;s draconian government" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2022/08/15/afghanistan-taliban-us-withdrawal-anniversary" data-vars-content-id="ed34d8d5-2d6c-477b-abeb-de450f770659" data-vars-headline="Biden admin offers thousands of Afghan refugees temporary protections" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2022/08/15/afghanistan-taliban-us-withdrawal-anniversary" target="_self">Taliban&#x27;s draconian government</a> for another 18 months.

China is becoming the most formidable rival America has faced, and the risk of confrontation with Russia, North Korea or Iran still looms. Authoritarians are rising, the chaotic Afghanistan exit revealed the limits of U.S. power, and the pandemic, climate change and other critical challenges continue to pose grave threats.

Jacob Knutson

Stories

Biden admin offers thousands of Afghan refugees temporary protections

Nearly half of voters believe Biden broke law in regards to son Hunter: poll

Canada's awful summer gives way to a burning fall

Hunter Biden to appear in person for arraignment over gun charges next week

Pentagon to review cases of LGBTQ+ veterans denied honorable discharges