Thursday, April 21st, 2022
Russia’s Missile Test, Home Prices Record & Wimbledon Ban
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 to peruse the latest happenings.
DOJ Appeals Mask Ruling
The debate over masks on public transportation is going back to court. The U.S. Justice Department decided to appeal the judge’s ruling that voided the mask mandate for planes, trains, buses, and more. The federal government is pushing back now because the CDC said masks are still important in crowded, indoor spaces. It’s not clear if the Biden administration will win this appeal, putting the mask mandate back into effect. Either way, this fight could end up making it to the U.S. Supreme Court.
Read More: NBC News, AP, WSJ, NY Times, CDC
Russia Tests New Missile/Keeps Fighting
For the first time, the Russian military tested an intercontinental ballistic missile. The Russian government says it could hit targets anywhere in the world and avoid antimissile defense systems. Russian President Putin said that should make anyone threatening his country “think twice.” However, this is likely just the first test of many. Analysts say it’s not likely the missile would be used for an attack anytime soon. In the meantime, Russia is moving forward with the war in Ukraine. More Russian soldiers and equipment are rolling in and launching attacks, especially in the east.
Read More: NY Times, WSJ, NPR, Reuters
Latest Russia Sanctions
The U.S. issued more sanctions meant to punish Russia for the war in Ukraine. This time, the U.S. targeted one of the largest cryptocurrency miners in the world. Officials say it’s important because cryptocurrency can help Russia offset the impact of other economic sanctions. The U.S. also punished a key commercial bank and hundreds of Russians who are accused of human rights abuses, undermining democracy, or helping Russia in other ways. Those are just the latest sanctions of many, and some officials say Russia has been facing a serious economic downturn because of them.
Read More: CNBC, Forbes, Politico, Axios, US Treasury
Leaders Walk Out of G20 Meeting
The G20, representing the world’s 20 largest economies, got together to talk about the global economy. As Russian representatives started to speak, officials from the U.S., Canada, Britain, and elsewhere walked out in protest. However, the G20 isn’t just Russia and western nations. It also includes countries like China, India, and Indonesia that, so far, haven’t sanctioned Russia over the war. Officials from those countries did not walk out.
Read More: WaPo, Reuters, AP, NPR
SW Wildfires Grow
Wildfires in the southwestern U.S. have been ripping through neighborhoods and forcing thousands of people to evacuate. One is burning near the college and tourist town of Flagstaff, Arizona. It tripled in size yesterday to more than 30 square miles. That’s in part because of relentless winds, but it’s also because of extremely dry conditions. In New Mexico, another wildfire has burned more than 14 square miles this week. Wildfires in Colorado are growing, too, forcing more people to flee. Between the three states, several homes have been burned to the ground, and many more are threatened.
Read More: Reuters, AP, CNN, NY Times
Novavax Combo Vaccine Results
Another new vaccine is on track to be ready by next year. This one is said to protect people from both Covid-19 and the seasonal flu at the same time. The vaccine maker Novavax released early results from recent clinical trials. They show the combo vaccine boosted people’s immunity, and they seem to be “well-tolerated.” Serious side effects were rare. Novavax is still planning more, larger trials. Then, if all goes well, regulators will have to review the science and decide whether to make it available.
Read More: MarketWatch, The Hill, CNBC, Forbes, Novavax
American Home Prices Hit Record
U.S. home prices hit a new record high. The median existing house price in March jumped 15% from a year earlier to $375,000. That’s according to the National Association of Realtors. It comes as mortgage rates rise quickly, too. The combination means homeownership may be out of reach for millions more Americans. In the past, sharp rises in mortgage rates have slowed home price growth. However, some analysts now say home prices will keep climbing because there aren’t many homes for sale.
Read More: WSJ, Reuters, LA Times, MarketWatch, NAR
NM ‘Rust’ Shooting Fine
The film production company behind the movie ‘Rust’ got hit with the maximum fine for safety violations. The set of ‘Rust’ is where cinematographer Halyna Hutchins was shot and killed. Actor and producer Alec Baldwin fired the gun during a rehearsal last year. Since then, government investigators in New Mexico found the movie’s managers “demonstrated plain indifference” to employee safety. They say the managers knew proper procedures for firearm safety weren’t followed. Yet, they failed to do anything about it. Rust Movie Productions is now facing a nearly $137,000 fine.
Read More: LA Times, AP, USA Today, CNN, Sky News, NM OSHA
Wimbledon Bans Russians/Belarusians
Wimbledon decided to ban tennis players from Russia and Belarus because of the war in Ukraine. That takes some front-runners out of the competition. Daniil Medvedev, the reigning U.S. Open champion, is one of the Russians who are now out, along with three others who are all ranked in the top 30 on the ATP tour. On the women’s side, the decision eliminates Aryna Sabalenka of Belarus who is ranked fourth in the world, along with six other top-ranked women. Wimbledon says it’s necessary to ban them to limit Russia’s global influence. However, there has been backlash from critics who call the decision unfair and discriminatory.
Read More: ESPN, NPR, CNN, USA Today, Wimbledon
Queen Elizabeth’s 96th Birthday
Britain’s longest-reigning monarch is celebrating today. Queen Elizabeth, who has been on the throne since she was 25, is turning 96 years old. The Queen will be spending the day at her Sandringham estate in the country. There will be a big, public celebration of her birthday in June that will also celebrate her 70 years as queen. The Platinum Jubilee will include a royal family gathering as they watch a traditional parade. There will also be a huge concert and party at the palace, a pageant meant to tell the story of the queen’s reign, and more.
Read More: BBC, WaPo, ABC News, People, UK Royals
TCM Film Festival Begins
The TCM Festival is returning to Hollywood this year, and it will feature quite a few classic movies and big stars. Director Steven Spielberg will be on hand to celebrate the 40th anniversary of ‘ET: The Extra-Terrestrial’ along with the movie’s stars. It’s also the 40th anniversary of ‘Diner’, and the stars of that movie will reunite, too. Case members of ‘A League of their Own’ and ‘Cooley High’ will also be on hand to talk about their movies. Plus, Lily Tomlin will cement her Hollywood legacy with a hand and footprint ceremony outside the TCL Chinese Theater.
Read More: AP, KPBS, THR, EW, TCM Film Fest
Thing to Know Thursday: More Americans Homeschooling
More families than ever decided to start homeschooling during the pandemic. Now, two years later, even after schools have reopened, many parents are sticking with it. Homeschooling numbers reportedly dipped a little from last year’s all-time high, but they are still way above the levels from before Covid-19 swept the globe. Surveys say the top reasons include disagreement with school policies, health concerns, and the desire to keep what has worked recently. Homeschooling has cut into public school enrollment in ways that could affect future funding. It’s also renewed debates about how closely homeschooling should be regulated.
Read More: AP, KSBY, News24