IMPORTANT | | | | | Destruction From Above | US Sends $800M Military Aid as Russia Pummels Cities Across Ukraine A Russian airstrike tore through a theater in Mariupol yesterday where hundreds had been sheltering after their homes were reduced to rubble, despite the word “children” emblazoned in Russian on the pavement next to the theater. Meanwhile, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy addressed the U.S. Congress by video link to ask for more weapons and more sanctions against Russia, invoking Pearl Harbor and 9/11 in an emotional plea that received a standing ovation. President Joe Biden immediately announced an additional $800 million in military aid for Ukraine and, for the first time, called Russian President Vladimir Putin a “war criminal.” (Sources: AP, NYT, The Guardian) |
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| | | Crisis Deepens in Yemen | UN Falls Short of Fundraising Goal for Humanitarian Aid A United Nations pledging conference with the goal of raising $4.27 billion to address the raging famine in Yemen raised only $1.3 billion, with some hoped-for donors skipping out altogether. The U.N. considers the warring nation the world's worst humanitarian disaster, and Secretary-General Antonio Guterres warned that international attention should not be deflected by the crisis in Ukraine. Only 36 major donors stepped forward for a country where 23.4 million people out of a population of 31.9 million need humanitarian assistance, and 12.9 million need acute aid. “It’s absolutely devastating, and now we’re out of money,” said World Food Program Executive Director David Beasley. (Source: Al Jazeera) |
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| | | A Quarter for Your Troubles | US Federal Reserve Raises Interest Rates for First Time Since 2018 Federal Reserve Chairman Jerome Powell said he would raise the federal funds rate to a range of 0.25-0.50% — likely a kickoff to a much lengthier cycle of rate hikes. The CME FedWatch Tool predicts that benchmark rates will fall between 1.75-2% by the end of the year. While that’s still fairly low, even small increases signal an end to an era of cheap money for borrowers, which will impact consumer spending in many ways. Higher mortgage rates and APRs could also affect low-wealth small-business owners — the majority of America’s entrepreneurs — who struggle to get access to non-predatory financing. (Source: NBC News) |
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| | | Eyes on the Spies | Documents Reveal Chinese Secret Police Influenced US Election Campaign Five individuals working on behalf of the Chinese secret police “went to dangerous lengths” to undermine a U.S. election, according to newly released court documents. The candidate, a military veteran running for Congress, was a student leader of the 1989 pro-democracy demonstrations in Beijing. This is the first time a federal campaign has been undermined in this way, say the documents. The conspirators also planned to destroy work from a Chinese artist in Los Angeles who was critical of his home government. Three of the suspects were arrested this week, while two are still at large. (Source: BBC) |
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| | | Briefly | Here are some things you should know about today: Disgraced former anchor Chris Cuomo wants $125 million. Cuomo says his CNN bosses knew full well of his role as adviser to his brother, former New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo. (Source: AP) Nine killed in West Texas crash. Members of the New Mexico University golf teams were killed when their van and a pickup truck collided. (Source: NBC News) Republican Senate candidate questions evolution. Herschel Walker, who is running in Georgia, questioned how evolution could be true if there are still apes. (Source: NPR) |
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| | | INTRIGUING | | | | | Do the Right Thing | Russian Journalists Are Resigning En Masse From State-Run TV Marina Ovsyannikova's courageous act on Russian state news Monday denouncing the war in Ukraine and her government's propaganda around it has spurred journalists to take action. Ukraine’s President Zelenskyy also urged those working for Russia’s propaganda machine to resign, warning that anyone who stays could risk sanctions or trial later for “justifying war crimes.” Journalists in every position, from top editors and anchors to correspondents and writers, have walked off the job. Maria Baranova, former editor at Russia Today and the highest-profile resignation so far, cited President Putin’s destruction of Russia’s reputation and a dead economy as her reasons for leaving. (Source: BBC) |
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| | | No More Paper ’Bucks | Starbucks Announces Plans to Stop Using Paper Cups By the end of next year, customers in the U.S. and Canada will be served drinks in reusable cups, Starbucks announced this week. The plan, says the company, is to reduce waste by 50% by 2030. “Starbucks partners around the world are passionate about protecting our planet and are at the very center of driving the innovation that enables us to give more than we take from the planet,” said President and CEO Kevin Johnson. This is not the coffee giant’s only initiative: It also plans to turn coffee grounds and unsold pastries into plastics and laundry detergents. (Source: NPR) |
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| | | Fed Up, Walking Out | Disney Employees Protest Company’s Response to ‘Don’t Say Gay’ Bill Advocates for the LGBTQ community will stage walkouts at Disney, the largest employer in Florida, to protest its lackluster response to regressive legislation working its way through the state legislature. The Disney Do Better Walkout urges employees to take virtual “break” walkouts from 3 p.m. to 3:15 p.m. every day before a full-day walkout March 22. Disney CEO Bob Chapek has paused political donations in Florida and promised to give $5 million to LGBTQ organizations. He also confirmed that the company will not be taking a public stance on the issue, which he said would be “counterproductive.” (Source: The Hill) |
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| | | A Different Kind of Lyft | Ridesharing App to Add Surcharges as Gas Prices Mount Rival Uber and food-delivery app DoorDash were the first to announce plans to start levying surcharges. Starting next week, Lyft’s measures will add a 55-cent fuel surcharge for at least the next 60 days, with all additional profits going directly to drivers. Following a policy initiated by DoorDash, Lyft will offer drivers cash back on gas purchases if they use a company debit card. “We’ll continue monitoring gas prices, listening to how drivers are being impacted, and finding ways to support them as things evolve,” said the San Francisco company. U.S. gas prices hit $4.43 per gallon this week. (Source: ABC News) |
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| | | Migrating Cardinal | Kenny Payne Returns to Louisville as Head Basketball Coach The New York Knicks assistant coach, a strong favorite since the University of Louisville’s search for a new head coach began in January, will be returning to his alma mater. As a player Payne won a national championship with the Cardinals in 1986 before being drafted to the NBA. He started his coaching career as an assistant with the Oregon Ducks before spending a decade with the Kentucky Wildcats assisting John Calipari. Payne replaces Chris Mack, who left Louisville in January after a lackluster season that ended 13-19. He’ll be the first Black head coach for the Cardinals men’s basketball team. (Source: ESPN) |
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