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IMPORTANT | | ‘Enough, Enough’ | ‘How Much More Carnage?’ Asks Biden in Impassioned AddressThe gloves came off last night. Addressing the nation from a candle-lined Cross Hall, Biden signaled his administration’s intention to tackle America’s gun laws head-on. He called on Congress to ban assault-style weapons, expand background checks and pass “red flag laws” that would allow authorities to remove firearms from people who pose a potential danger. He addressed the GOP-shaped elephant in the room directly: “The fact that the majority of the Senate Republicans don’t want any of these proposals even to be debated or come up for a vote, I find unconscionable. We can’t fail the American people again.” (Source: NYT) |
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| | | Day 100 | Ukraine Marks Grim Milestone, But All’s Not Going to Plan for Russia On day 100 of Russia’s war in Ukraine, fighting continued to rage — especially in the key eastern city of Sievierodonetsk, which is now largely under Russian control. Last night President Volodymyr Zelenskyy made the grim revelation that President Vladimir Putin’s forces control 20% of his country’s territory. But the U.K.’s Ministry of Defense says that while Russia is “achieving tactical success” in the Donbas, this has come at “significant resource cost” and has forced Russian troops to go on defense in other areas. “Measured against Russia’s original plan, none of the strategic objectives have been achieved,” the ministry added. (Source: USA Today) |
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| | ‘Pariah’ No More | Desperate for Gas, Biden Will Go Cap-in-Hand to Saudis Before being elected, Biden vowed to make Saudi Arabia an international “pariah” due to Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman’s alleged involvement in the assassination of Jamal Khashoggi. But now that Russia’s invasion of Ukraine’s sent gas prices skyrocketing, moral outrage is making way for realpolitik. Biden had already been softening his Saudi stance before Putin invaded Ukraine on Feb. 24 and now plans to visit Riyadh to rebuild relations. Secretary of State Antony Blinken said Wednesday that human rights are still important but “we are addressing the totality of our interests in that relationship.” (Sources: NYT, The Hill) |
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| | Desperate Times | Putin to Meet African Union Leader: Food, World Order on Agenda Senegalese President Macky Sall, the chair of the African Union, will meet President Putin at his Black Sea residence today. Sall’s objectives include “freeing up stocks of cereals and fertilizers, the blockage of which particularly affects African countries” and easing the Ukraine conflict. The Kremlin, meanwhile, said it would address “issues of Russia’s interaction with the African Union” and the “current international agenda”. Food prices on the world’s poorest continent are surging and Russia is running out of buyers for its produce, so a deal would suit both parties. The U.N. says Africa faces an “unprecedented” crisis due to the conflict. (Source: Al Jazeera) |
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| | Briefly | Here are some things you should know about today: Queen bee. Harini Logan, a 14-year-old from San Antonio, Texas, took down Vikram Raju in the Scripps National Spelling Bee’s first ever lightning round tiebreaker. Her winning word was “moorhen”. (Source: AP) Excuse us. Queen Elizabeth II will miss the Jubilee church service to mark her 70-year reign, after a busy day of celebrations yesterday. Also absent will be Prince Andrew, who’s tested positive for COVID-19. Only one of them will be missed. (Source: BBC) Cuba libre. The U.S. is opening up more flights to Cuba after lifting Trump-era restrictions. (Source: Al Jazeera) |
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INTRIGUING | | Why the Long Neck? | Unicornesque Fossils Might Shed Light on How the Giraffe Got its NeckThe giraffe’s neck has long intrigued researchers who feel there must be solid evolutionary justification for a body part that requires the biggest heart of all land mammals. While many assume the long necks evolved to help giraffes browse the tops of trees, research has shown that tall giraffes are no more likely to survive droughts. Enter Discokeryx xiezhi, a recently described unicorn-like giraffe relative that lived in China during the Miocene. The beast’s formidable “helmet” and powerful neck were perfectly suited for male-male combat, and some scientists feel something similar could be going on with giraffes. Others disagree. (Source: Nature) |
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| | | | Cistern Chapel | Big Stink Lingers in Australia’s Finest Public ToiletFeaturing extravagant murals, ornate chandeliers, and a golden “throne,” the Cistern Chapel of Maryborough near Brisbane is something special. But weeks after its grand opening, a feud between the public toilet’s organizing committee and its chief artist is kicking up a stench. Painter Akos Juhasz says he created “the whole universe” of the chapel, while committee president Nancy Bates says the chapel’s success was more of a team effort — and that Juhasz was difficult to work with. “Even if I am the biggest a**hole of the world, those paintings are mine and I created this whole story and this whole universe,” countered Juhasz. (Source: The Guardian; Photo sources: @natgee5, @ruth_on_the_run) |
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| | ‘All Shook Up’ | No More Elvis Weddings, Licensing Company Tells Vegas Chapels Authentic Brands Group ordered Las Vegas wedding chapels to stop using “Presley’s name, likeness, voice image, and other elements of Elvis Presley’s persona in advertisements, merchandise and otherwise.” Elvis-themed ceremonies are a major portion of Sin City’s $2-billion-a-year wedding industry. “They want to protect the Elvis brand. But what are they protecting by taking Elvis away from the public?” asked Elvis-impersonator Kent Ripley of Elvis Weddings. Authentic Brands Group says it wants to “partner with each of these small businesses to ensure that their use of Elvis’ name, image and likeness are officially licensed and authorized by the estate.” Ka-ching. (Source: AP) |
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| | Fish Tale | Wild Salmon Catch in Scotland Hits Record Low Talk about the one that got away. Only 35,693 Atlantic salmon were caught on Scottish rivers in 2021 — the lowest haul since record-keeping began in 1952, and a massive reduction from the 111,400 caught in 2010. While the figures are partially a factor of the COVID-19 lockdown last spring, they are consistent with a downward trend. Wild salmon are keystone species and experts attribute their decline to climate change, fish farming and other industrial activities. Alan Wells of Fisheries Management Scotland urged the government to “go much further in all the areas where they have the power to make a difference.” (Source: The Guardian) |
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| | Fourth Quarter Stunner | Celtics Leave It Late to Snatch Game 1 From Golden StateThe Boston Celtics pulled off the most lopsided fourth quarter in NBA Finals history to record a 120-108 victory over the Golden State Warriors. The Warriors had led 92-80 going into the final 12 minutes, thanks to a 38-point third quarter. But, led by Jaylen Brown and Al Horford — who hit six 3-pointers out of eight attempts — the Celtics secured a barely believable 40-16 final period, which included a run of 17 unanswered points. It’s the first time the Warriors have lost at home this postseason. Game 2 is on Sunday night in San Francisco. (Sources: AP, NYT) |
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