Wednesday, March 16th, 2022
Zelensky’s Speech, No More Changing Clocks? & Selena’s New Music
All the news you need in about 10 min:
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Story Summaries
All the news stories mentioned in today's episode are listed with links below, so you can spend as much -- or as little -- time as you want reading about the latest happenings…
Biden to Travel to Europe
President Biden plans to travel to Europe next week. The White House says he’ll meet with European leaders at a special NATO summit in Brussels, Belgium on March 24th. He’ll also go to the pre-planned European Union summit meeting on the same day. Biden will meet face-to-face with his European counterparts, and of course, they’ll be talking about efforts to help Ukraine and to push back against Russia.
Read more: The Hill, AP, NYT, WaPo
Zelensky’s Virtual Address to Congress
President Zelensky will talk directly to members of Congress in the U.S. orning at 9 a.m. ET. It’s actually the second time he’ll speak in front of Congress this month, but this time, all Americans can tune-in. Zelensky’s speech could lead to U.S. lawmakers putting even more pressure on Biden to send fighter jets and other military gear to Ukraine. The White House says Biden will announce another $800 million in military aid for Ukraine today.
Read more: CBS News, CNN, BBC News, NYT, Watch Live Here
European Leaders Visit Kyiv
The prime ministers of Poland, the Czech Republic, and Slovenia took a risky trip to the Ukrainian capital of Kyiv and met with Ukrainian President Zelensky. The three leaders took a train to Ukraine’s capital and said they did it to show support for the country. They were there while attacks got more intense in and around Kyiv. Russian forces continue to push closer and closer to the city’s limits, too. Now, Kyiv’s mayor put a 36-hour curfew in place.
Read more: WSJ, WaPo, Time
Fox News Journalists Killed
In the outskirts of Kyiv, a Fox News cameraman and a Ukrainian journalist who was working as a consultant for Fox News were both killed. The war zone photographer and journalist were with the Fox News reporter we told you about yesterday who was hospitalized. The CEO of Fox News put out a statement, calling it a “heartbreaking day” for the organization and praising each of their talents as journalists.
Read more: FOX News, CNBC, BBC
20K Escape Mariupol, Hostages Taken
An estimated 20,000 civilians were finally able to leave the devastated Ukrainian city of Mariupol. It was the biggest evacuation yet from the southern city of more than 400,000 people. However, there are now reports from Ukrainians that Russian forces have taken hostages at a hospital there, and many others are still trapped without essential supplies. Still, Ukraine said progress in the peace talks with Russia is still possible. The negotiations are expected to continue today.
Read more: AP, Fox News, Axios
Russia Sanctions Americans
In response to harsh sanctions put on the country, Russia announced its own round of new sanctions against about a dozen high-profile Americans, including President Biden, Secretary of State Antony blinken and former Secretary of State Hilary Clinton. The measure essentially bans them from going to Russia and freezes any assets they have there, but none of them seem worried about it.
Read more: NY Post, The Hill, BBC, WSJ
Russian TV Protester Fined
You may have seen a video clip of a Russian woman who ran onto the set of a live news broadcast on Russian state-run media, holding a “no war” sign behind the anchor. She’s actually an employee at that channel who now says she’s ashamed she used to tell lies on TV. She told reporters she was interrogated for 14 hours, and later fined. She could face more charges.
Read more: BBC, WSJ, NPR
Fed to Hike Interest Rates
The Federal Reserve is set to wrap-up its policy meeting today and raise interest rates. The expected quarter-point increase will be the first rate hike since 2018. Then, the central bank may signal more increases coming later this year to help curb inflation.
Read more: CNBC, USA Today, WSJ
Raskin Out
President Biden’s nominee to essentially be the Fed’s top banking regular withdrew her nomination. Sarah Bloom Raskin is out after a key Democrat joined all Senate Republicans in saying they won’t vote to confirm her in that role. Now the Biden administration must nominate a new banking cop, which is considered one of the more critical jobs on the Fed board.
Read more: Reuters, AP, WaPo
Pfizer Asks for Fourth Shot
A fourth dose of a Covid-19 vaccine could be coming. Pfizer has now formally asked the FDA to greenlight another booster shot for Americans 65 and older. Pfizer’s CEO said the booster already available is good enough to prevent hospitalizations and deaths from Covid-19, but not as good against infections overall. The FDA still needs to approve the request.
Read more: AP, CBS News, Bloomberg
No More Changing Clocks?
Changing the clocks twice a year could become a thing of the past. The Senate passed a bill that could make Daylight Saving Time permanent, starting next year. It’s the “Sunshine Protection Act” and, if it actually becomes law, each state would have to choose to either stick with Standard Time or have Daylight Saving Time year-round. If it gets enough support in the House, it will go to the president’s desk for his signature. By the way: we’re talking about the history of Daylight Saving Time on this weekend’s Special Edition Saturday episode.
Read more: USA Today, CNN, WSJ, Reuters, Politico
Oil Prices Fall
Oil prices slid below $100 a barrel for the first time this month. Just a week ago, crude oil jumped above $139 a barrel, meaning, it’s fallen 30% in a week. That reverses a chunk of the recent spike since Russia invaded Ukraine. Experts think it’s because of a few reasons, including hopes other countries would boost oil production as well as lower oil demand in China due to new Covid restrictions. While oil could still spike again, one analyst said the average national price of gas could drop by 20 cents a gallon if oil prices stay put.
Read more: CNBC, CNN, CNN (2), WSJ, Market Watch
Selena's New Album
Nearly three decades after her death, Selena fans are getting new music from the “Queen of Tejano” music. The late pop star’s father said a new album with unreleased, digitally modified songs is coming out next month. In an interview, he said fans can expect 13 songs pulled from her catalog but with new arrangements. Selena was killed at the age of 23, but 27 years later, her legacy is still going strong.
Read more: Rolling Stone, WaPo, CBS News, Latin Groove News Interview
TikTok + Cannes Film Festival
TikTok is becoming an official partner of one of the most famous festivals in the world. The new partnership with the Cannes Film Festival is meant to bring the app’s users a first-hand look inside the iconic event. TikTok also launched a short-film competition called #TikTokShortFilm, where creators can share their own short films on the app. Three winners will be selected to win cash prizes and a trip to the festival in France. You must submit your short film by April 8th.
Read more: Hollywood Reporter, Vulture, Variety, TikTok
Work Wednesday: Where College Grads Want to Move
Once college students graduate, where are they hoping to move for their first job? A new Axios survey found the most desired place for college graduates to work and live is in Seattle. With its tech-hub status, cool climate, green energy, and music and art scene, Seattle beat out the more expensive cities: New York and Los Angeles. Denver and Boston rounded out the top 5 wish list. As far as what they want to do when they get there, healthcare was the top industry, followed by careers in education and tech.
Read more Axios, News Tribune, GeekWire, Brookings Institution