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1. Supreme Court
The Senate yesterday confirmed President Joe Biden’s Supreme Court nominee, Ketanji Brown Jackson, in a historic vote that paves the way for her to become the first black woman to serve on the nation’s highest court. The record was 53-47, with Republican Sens. Susan Collins of Maine, Mitt Romney of Utah and Lisa Murkowski of Alaska joining the Democrats to vote in favour. Jackson will be sworn in after Judge Stephen Breyer retired sometime this summer. Until then, she will remain in her current position on the US Circuit Court of Appeals, a White House official told CNN. Former first lady Michelle Obama yesterday praised Jackson and thanked the judge for giving black women and girls “a new dream to dream, a new path to walk and a future we can all hope for.”
2. Ukraine
Dozens of people were killed and injured after two rockets hit a train station in the eastern city of Kramatorsk that was serving as an evacuation hub, Ukrainian officials said today. Thousands of people were at the station during the rocket attack, amid the evacuation of residents from the Donetsk region to safer areas of the country, a Ukrainian military official said. This comes as Russian shelling of towns in eastern and southern Ukraine continues, despite Russian troops having “completely withdrawn” from northern Ukraine to Belarus and Russia, according to the UK MoD. Separately, the United Nations General Assembly yesterday voted to expel Russia from the UN Human Rights Council after sensational allegations of atrocities committed by Russian soldiers in Ukraine.
3.Coronavirus
The US is likely to see a spike in Covid-19 cases in the fall, warns Dr. Anthony Fauci, the nation’s leading infectious disease expert. With many mask requirements and indoor restrictions lifted, Fauci stressed that immunity has waned and that we should expect an increase in cases as the colder weather arrives in the fall. This week, the coronavirus also hit a number of DC lawmakers. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi has tested positive for Covid-19, a spokesman for the California Democrat said yesterday. Two members of Biden’s cabinet also tested positive for Covid-19 on Wednesday, but the White House said the president tested negative as part of regularly scheduled tests that same night.
4. Trump
The New York Attorney General has asked a court to contempt former President Donald Trump for allegedly failing to comply with a court order to produce certain documents for an investigation. In a motion filed yesterday, Attorney General Letitia James’ office said Trump “did not comply at all” with the subpoena for documents and his attorneys said he would “not produce” any documents in response to the subpoena because his attorneys believe if the documents exist, the Trump Organization would have them, and the Attorney General’s office “has only to wait until the Trump Organization has completed production to get them.” James is asking the court to fine him $10,000 a day, or an amount the court deems sufficient to get Trump to comply. Meanwhile, the criminal investigation into Trump and his company also continues as prosecutors review new evidence, the Manhattan District Attorney said yesterday.
5. North Korea
New satellite images show signs that North Korea is again digging tunnels at its underground nuclear test site, raising concerns the country is preparing for another nuclear test and possibly another missile launch. This comes as North Korea may take “another provocative measure” next week in connection with Pyongyang’s April 15 holiday, which celebrates the birthday of the country’s founding father Kim Il Sung, according to the Foreign Ministry’s special envoy for North Korea. The US and its allies believe North Korea is beginning to prepare for a possible underground nuclear test for the first time since 2017. A number of US officials say that while North Korea has resumed tunneling and construction at the underground site, it remains unclear at this time how soon the regime could launch a test.
BROWSE BREAKFAST
How lab-grown sushi could help fight overfishing
We’re ready for a taste test! A California startup is creating a sushi-grade “textured” fish fillet — which is proving to be much more difficult to prepare than an “unstructured” ground product like a plant-based burger.
What it’s like to drive an electric Hummer
Who said electric vehicles have to be small and light? CNN’s Auto Expert test drove the GMC Hummer EV, and here’s how it went.
Pink Floyd releases first new music in 28 years in support of Ukraine
The legendary rock band releases their first new music since 1994 today!
Walmart raises truck driver salaries to $95,000 a year
Yes, it is an extremely strenuous job. But for nearly six-figure numbers, more people are now jumping in the driver’s seat.
With Google, you can now search by combining images and words
Some things are just too hard to describe! Thanks for the help Google.
QUIZ TIME
Which billionaire recently bought 9.2% of Twitter’s stock, making it the company’s largest shareholder?
A Jeff Bezos
B. Bill Gates
C Warren Buffett
D Elon Musk
Take CNN’s weekly news quiz to see if you’re right!
TODAY’S NUMBER
713
That’s how many books are banned in 16 school districts in Texas, according to PEN America, a literature and free speech advocacy group. The group says many of the banned books tell stories about LGBTQ people and people of color.
TODAY’S WEATHER
Check your local forecast here>>>
AND FINALLY
Dog goes paragliding with his owner
Here’s a flying dog, why not! (click here to view)