Mariupol
The Story
Russian forces continue to take aim at civilians.
What do you mean?
Yesterday, a Russian airstrike hit a maternity hospital in southern Ukraine. Officials say three people died, at least 17 people were injured, and children were under the wreckage. This is happening in Mariupol — a port city linking Crimea with Russian-backed enclaves. For over a week, Mariupol’s been suffering from lack of access to food, water, and other basics. “Humanitarian corridors” set up to help about 200,000 citizens evacuate have failed thanks to Russian shelling. One city official says about 1,200 civilians have died since Russia invaded two weeks ago.
What are people saying?
Following the strike on the hospital, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy called the world an “accomplice ignoring terror.” Zelenskyy reiterated his calls for the West to establish a no-fly zone over Ukraine — a move that could prevent Russian aircrafts from launching attacks. But NATO said the potential fallout from that would be “even more dangerous, destructive, and deadly.”
And what about Russia?
President Biden says Russian President Vladimir Putin is growing more isolated as Ukrainian forces continue to put up a fight. But it comes at the cost of his own troops. The US estimates between 2,000 and 4,000 Russian troops have been killed. And that Putin could “double down” on his brutality in Ukraine.
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US officials are convinced Putin’s invasion of Ukraine will “fail.” But even if that does happen, there are over 2 million refugees, hundreds of civilians killed, and some European countries are rethinking their security policies. Especially those like Moldova who worry they’re next on Putin’s wishlist.
PS: Here are the answers to some of your questions about the war in Ukraine.
And Also...This
What's giving its two cents…
The White House. Yesterday, President Biden signed an executive order telling federal agencies to create a strategy for digital assets like crypto. The gov says about 40 million people in the US have invested in, traded, or used cryptocurrencies. Now, Biden wants these guidelines to help American traders avoid financial risks. And has asked the Treasury to think about the future of money and payment systems. But these recs could take at least three months to put together.
Who people are talking about…
David Bennett. Earlier this week, he died about two months after becoming the first person to receive a heart transplant from a pig. Bennett had been suffering from terminal heart disease. In the US, about 107,000 people are waiting for an organ transplant — thousands die every year before getting one. Scientists have spent decades looking for alternatives like animal organs. Now, doctors say the transplant has provided “invaluable insights” into how the genetically modified pig heart can function within the human body. It could be a step towards getting FDA approval for a clinical trial using gene-edited animal organs.
Who’s learning from “The Tinder Swindler”…
Tinder. Yesterday, the dating app said that its users will be able to do a background check on their matches. One poll found that younger female users are about twice as likely to get called an offensive name or have someone threaten to physically harm them — compared to their male counterparts. Tinder’s been under fire for sexual assaults and other crimes connected to the app. Now, this new feature allows users to see arrests, convictions for certain violent crimes, and sex offender registry records.
What’s got people sprucing up their resumes…
US job openings. In January, ‘Help Wanted’ signs remained at record highs despite a slight drop. But the worker shortage had many saying ‘show us the money.’
What’s making waves…
This lost ship. And this trailer.
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