(CNN) NASA is mapping dust storms from space with a new high-tech device that can measure the extent to which dust is changing Earth’s climate. Many scientists say this research is vital because dust storms can cause respiratory diseases, damage livestock and crops, and disrupt transportation.
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1. Ukraine
President Joe Biden met with President Volodymyr Zelenskyy on Monday, reiterated US support for Ukraine and announced new military aid and sanctions against Russia. The top-secret visit – which came as air raid sirens rang out around Kiev – comes at a critical juncture in the 12-month conflict as Russia prepares for an expected spring offensive and Ukraine hopes to retake its territory soon. In his State of the Union address today, Russian President Vladimir Putin reiterated his war in Ukraine and sought to blame the West for the conflict. “You won’t stop. The threat continues every day,” Putin said, while reciting a well-known list of justifications for his unprovoked invasion. Putin also said that Russia is suspending its participation in the New START nuclear arms reduction treaty. Under the main nuclear weapons control treaty, both the US and Russia are allowed to inspect each other’s weapons sites, but inspections have been halted since 2020 due to the Covid-19 pandemic.
2nd winter storm
A major winter storm will hit millions of people across the US this week with heavy snowfall, dangerous winds, possible blizzards and, for some, the coldest temperatures of the season. Snow and rain are already falling across the Pacific Northwest, adding to the region’s already blockbuster snow season. Later today, the storm will spread to California and the Great Basin, potentially causing power outages. Meteorologists say these conditions can cause travel headaches even in some of the West’s most densely populated areas. The extreme wintry conditions will also affect the Rocky Mountains and the Midwest, where the storm could have its greatest impact. Forecasts show up to two feet of snow will be thrown across the Midwest while a swath of frigid weather will affect several major cities.
3. Aftershocks in Turkey
A magnitude 6.3 aftershock hit southern Turkey on Monday, killing three people and injuring hundreds more – two weeks after a massive tremor killed more than 46,000 people. The aftershock caused more buildings to collapse, a volunteer rescue group said, sparking renewed panic in the region. Search and rescue operations resumed days after Turkey’s civil protection agency said it had completed most searches due to the unlikely chance of surviving people trapped in the rubble for so long after the first magnitude 7.8 disaster on February 6 . “Aftershocks become less frequent over time, although for a very large main tremor they can last for days, weeks, months, or even years,” according to the United States Geological Survey.
4. Ohio Poison Train
EPA Administrator Michael Regan, the country’s top environmental official, will today visit eastern Palestine, Ohio, amid mounting reports of skin rashes, headaches, nausea and other symptoms local residents fear are related to the March 3 derailment of a train carrying toxic chemicals February could be related. “Our throats hurt, we cough a lot now,” said Desiree Walker, a resident who lives 900 feet from the site of the wreck. Transport Secretary Pete Buttigieg told reporters Monday that he also plans to visit the community “when the time is right,” and announced new efforts by his agency to improve rail safety. Meanwhile, local residents have criticized the federal and state response to the wreck, saying more needs to be done to reassure residents that the city’s air and water are safe. Crews checked hundreds of homes and found no dangerous levels of pollutants, the EPA said.
5. Supreme Court
The Supreme Court will hear two cases this week that could have a major impact on the future of the internet. The outcome of the clashes scheduled for today and Wednesday could decide whether tech platforms and social media companies can be sued for recommending content to their users or supporting acts of international terrorism by hosting terrorist content. At the heart of the litigation is Section 230 of the Communications Decency Act, a nearly 30-year-old federal law that courts have repeatedly said provides broad protections for technology platforms. However, the law has since come under scrutiny along with growing criticism of Big Tech’s content moderation decisions. As a result, websites could soon seek to manage their legal risk for hosting or promoting content – which means possible sweeping changes across their sites, including Facebook, Wikipedia, and YouTube, to name a few.
BROWSE BREAKFAST
Brittney Griner signs a one-year deal with Phoenix Mercury
After nearly 10 months in Russia, WNBA star Brittney Griner is returning to basketball for the upcoming season.
A first-generation iPhone fetches $63,000 at auction
If you happen to have an unopened 2007 iPhone lying around, you might be sitting on some cash.
The director turns the popular children’s book character into a horror version
Warning: After watching this haunting clip, you may never look at Winnie the Pooh the same way again…
United Airlines is introducing a new family seating policy
This new technology will dynamically find available adjacent seats for families and allow for free upgrades, the airline said.
Meta launches paid subscription service
For what it’s worth, Instagram and Facebook users will soon be able to pay to get verified.
TODAY’S NUMBER
145,000
That’s how many cans of baby formula were recalled Monday by Reckitt, one of the largest US baby formula makers. The company said it is recalling two lots of Enfamil ProSobee Simply Plant-Based Infant Formula due to possible cross-contamination with Cronobacter sakazakii bacteria. Although no illnesses have been reported, the recall is being conducted out of caution, the company said.
TODAY’S WEATHER
Check your local forecast here>>>
AND FINALLY
Happy Carnival
New Orleans is getting ready for its famous Mardi Gras party today. That means parades, strings of beads, dancing — and yes, king cake. Watch this short video to learn more about the famous tradition. (click here to view)