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1. Spa shootings
Eight people died in three spas in the Atlanta metropolitan area in about an hour yesterday. We still don’t know much about the victims, but four were described as ethnic Korean, according to South Korea’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Earlier, the Atlanta police chief had said that at least four were women and looked like women. Asian. A 21-year-old suspect was taken into custody after a car chase, and police believe he was responsible for the three attacks. Authorities are still investigating the reason for the shootings, among other issues. But already, the attacks have generated fear among Asian Americans, who have seen incidents of violence and hatred against them increase since the beginning of the coronavirus pandemic. Authorities in some cities are increasing the police presence in Asian communities as a precaution.
2. Coronavirus
The United States is facing a difficult race between vaccines and variants of Covid-19. Vaccinations are increasing rapidly and they have a great chance of winning. But contagious variants are spreading across the country and could threaten another outbreak. The CDC says that two strains of coronavirus first detected in California are officially “worrying variants”. Variants can be about 20% more transmissible and there is a concern that some treatments are not as effective against them. But the CDC did not say that vaccines would stop working against them. Also complicating the situation: some states are easing restrictions before the spread of the virus is fully contained.
3. 2020 elections
A U.S. intelligence report determined that Russia tried to interfere in the 2020 elections to help Donald Trump and harm Joe Biden. The report also describes a minor campaign of Iran’s secret influence. One of the biggest bombs in the report confirms what we had assumed last year: Trump and his closest allies publicly embraced Russia’s disinformation campaign against Biden, met with linked figures to the Kremlin who were part of the effort and promoted their conspiracy theories. CNN’s Stephen Collinson writes that the finding underscores a fundamental truth: “The most serious threat to US democracy comes from within.”
4. Governor Cuomo
New York Governor Andrew Cuomo is facing more and more scrutiny every day. Over the weekend, investigators met with the first woman to publicly accuse the governor of sexual harassment. Other women have made similar allegations against him, and investigations into those allegations continue to increase. Cuomo is also dealing with a separate problem involving an alleged cover-up for the Covid-19 death toll in state long-term care facilities. He now faces increasing pressure to resign, even from prominent members of his own party. President Biden recently said that Cuomo should resign if an investigation confirms allegations of sexual harassment against him. Cuomo denied “touching inappropriately” anyone and said he never intended to make anyone feel uncomfortable.
5. Japan
A Japanese court has ruled that the country’s failure to recognize same-sex marriage is unconstitutional. It is a historic decision that could usher in a new era of marriage equality in Japan. Homosexuality has been legal in Japan since 1880, and the country is relatively liberal compared to some other Asian nations. But Japan does not recognize same-sex unions across the country. That decision alone will not legalize same-sex marriage in the country – it would require a Supreme Court decision, which could take several years. Still, it is a significant step.
BREAKFAST RESEARCH
Elliot Page is the first trans man to appear on the cover of Time
It is the Canadian actor’s first major interview since he publicly revealed his gender identity last year.
Tiger Woods is recovering at home after his car accident in February
The golf legend thanked hospital staff in a recent post on social media.
Lightning may have generated life on Earth
This discovery may have implications for the search for life outside this planet.
A man with autism asks prospective employers to “give me a chance” in a candid, handwritten viral letter
Since then, he has received thousands of comments, connections, potential mentors and even job offers.
Here are the foods with more and less pesticides
Spoiler alert: strawberries remain at the top of the “Dirty Dozen” list.
TODAY’S QUOTES
“I can clearly say: don’t come.”
President biden, discouraging potential immigrants from leaving for the US, while their government struggles to respond to a wave of unaccompanied children across the border
TODAY’S NUMBER
50 million
That’s how many people this week are under the threat of bad weather this week, from the southern plains to the southeast. A rare high-risk threat has been issued for a possible tornado outbreak this afternoon and evening from the lower Mississippi valley through Alabama.
TODAY’S CLIMATE
Check your local forecast here >>>
AND FINALLY
Below the surface
Venture into the underground for a tour of the largest art gallery in the world and other hidden wonders. (Click here to view.)