IMPORTANT | | | | | On the Brink of History | US Supreme Court Nominee Appears Before Senate In the first of four days of confirmation hearings, Judge Ketanji Brown Jackson more than held her own, promising to “work productively to support and defend the Constitution and this grand experiment of American democracy that has endured over these past 246 years.” If she advances, Jackson will become the first Black female justice to serve on the Supreme Court, replacing Justice Stephen Breyer, for whom she once clerked. President Joe Biden described his nominee as “one of the nation’s brightest legal minds,” although Republican opposition tried yesterday to paint a different picture of Jackson as soft on crime. (Sources: BBC, NYT) |
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| | | Talks Not Missiles | Ukrainian President Urges Talks as Russia Deploys Powerful Missiles President Volodymyr Zelenskyy called for direct talks with Russian President Vladimir Putin on Monday, saying he was prepared to commit to not seeking NATO membership in return for a cease-fire. President Biden confirmed yesterday that Russia has used hypersonic missiles in Ukraine, the first time the weapons have been used in combat, and he repeated earlier warnings that Moscow may be planning to use biological and chemical weapons. Meanwhile, Russian forces fired on civilians being evacuated along a humanitarian corridor in Lviv, wounding four children. And in the southern city of Kherson, Russian troops used stun grenades against Ukrainian protesters. (Sources: AP, WaPo) |
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| | | Stormy Weather | Texas Slammed by Tornadoes as Storms Set to Hit Southern US The Lone Star State is bracing for more extreme weather after a severe storm caused catastrophic damage to two schools in Jacksboro, though no injuries were reported. Flood watches were issued from Texas to Mississippi on Monday. The Storm Prediction Center said more than 30 million people were at risk of severe storms and tornadoes, as an unpredictable weather system made its way through Dallas, Austin and Houston before moving into Louisiana and the Deep South on Tuesday. Meteorologists and public officials warned residents to seek shelter and stay alert as tornadoes can develop quickly and without warning. (Source: CNN) |
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| | | Tragedy in China | Plane Crash Is China’s Worst Air Disaster in a Decade A China Eastern Airlines Boeing 737-800 with 132 people on board crashed into the mountains of southern China yesterday, igniting a fireball that consumed the surrounding forest and was visible to NASA satellites. The flight plunged more than 20,000 feet in just over a minute, though the cause of the crash — China's first in nearly a decade — remains a mystery. There have been no significant safety issues with this Boeing model, and China’s air record has been strong since the 1990s. All 1,200 of China Eastern Airlines’ fleet of 737-800s were ordered grounded. Though rescue efforts continue, no survivors have been found. (Sources: AP, ABC News) |
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| | | Briefly | Here are some things you should know about today: Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas was hospitalized after “flu-like symptoms.” A spokesperson for the court confirmed that it was not COVID-19, and that Thomas is expected to be released in the next day or two. (Source: CNN) Miami Beach declares state of emergency after shootings. Two separate shootings over the weekend heightened concerns over unruly spring break crowds. (Source: NBC News) Chevron workers strike in California. More than 500 workers went on strike as the gas company vowed to bring in replacements and continue operations as normal. (Source: The Guardian) |
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| | | INTRIGUING | | | | | No More Free Lunch | Millions of American Kids May Soon Lose Healthy School Meals Though the pandemic has been rough on students, parents and school districts, it has had its silver linings — especially when it comes to school lunches. Pandemic relief legislation included an increase in school-year reimbursement for school food programs and increased flexibility in how schools can prepare and package meals for students. As a result, many schools began handing out packed lunches and other quick and healthy food options for parents to take home. Schools also sent buses brimming with meals into needy neighborhoods. But with funds set to expire, administrators are worried they may soon be heading back to leaner times. (Source: NPR) |
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| | | Billions Move Abroad | China Produces the Most Billionaires, Many of Them Women According to the recently released Hurun’s 2022 Global Rich List, the U.S. and China produced 55% of the world’s known billionaires, but two different worlds of wealth. America’s billionaires are wealthier than China’s, controlling 32% of the group’s combined wealth as opposed to China’s 27%. But China has a whopping 1,133 billionaires compared with America’s 716, and China’s billionaire population is growing three times as fast. What’s more, 60-70% of all self-made female billionaires are Chinese, a figure that’s remained steady for almost two decades. Experts attributed this to the one-child rule, meaning fewer career breaks and more help from extended family. (Source: Axios) |
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| | | Sea Robots, Ahoy! | Revolutionary Robotics Company’s Drones Can Fight Climate Change Saildrone wants to change the way we collect data on the sea. The robotics company’s 23-foot-long, fully automated and carbon-neutral data-collecting ships can complete yearlong missions across the globe for about $2,500 per day compared with the $30,000 daily price tag for larger research vessels. The company, founded in 2013, can then sell its data on weather patterns, hurricane activity, carbon dioxide levels and fish migration cheaply to aid scientists. Saildrone’s latest and most ambitious undertaking will map the ocean floor. Founder and CEO Richard Jenkins explained, “Ocean mapping is fundamentally important to understanding and predicting our future.” (Source: The Hill) |
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| | | West’s Status Goes South | Kanye West Barred From Performing at Grammys The announcement came a day after West was suspended from Instagram for 24 hours for violating their policies on “hate speech and bullying and harassment,” according to the social media platform. In the now-deleted post, West used a racial slur in response to comedian and Daily Show host Trevor Noah. Noah had criticized West’s posts about his ex-wife Kim Kardashian, triggering West’s racist attack. It was no surprise to West’s team or to the public that the 22-time Grammy winner would be barred from performing at this year’s ceremony, which is being hosted by ... Trevor Noah. (Source: The Guardian) |
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| | | Saintly Reunion | Jameis Winston Signs $28 Million Deal With Saints New Orleans’ search for a new quarterback brought them back to signing a two-year, $28 million deal with their old quarterback. Winston, a former Heisman winner and No. 1 overall NFL draft pick, spent most of last season off the field after ACL and MCL injuries. The 28-year-old had stellar stats and showed promise in his six full games, and many commented on his growth since he went 28-42 as a starter in his five seasons with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. The Saints had hoped to acquire Deshaun Watson, but he instead signed with the Cleveland Browns. (Source: ESPN) |
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