Title: Record-Breaking Markets, US-Mexico Border Crisis, Massive California Storm, and More Top Stories
Get Up to Speed with Today’s Most Important News
The Nasdaq and S&P 500 reached new all-time highs on Thursday, as fresh data indicated progress in the fight against inflation and chipmakers, along with artificial intelligence stocks, saw remarkable growth. bitcoin also drew closer to an all-time high, with the popular cryptocurrency hovering near levels last seen in 2021.
Here’s what else you need to know to start your day:
Presidential Visit to the US-Mexico Border Amid Migrant Crisis
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On Thursday, President Joe Biden and former President Donald Trump visited different sectors of the US-Mexico border. The migrant crisis has emerged as a significant issue in the 2024 presidential race.
Trump spoke about his border Website security priorities from Eagle Pass, Texas, while Biden met with border agents and addressed the public in Brownsville. Trump criticized Biden’s handling of illegal immigration and employed scare tactics, claiming the US was being “overrun” by a “new form” of crime he called “Biden migrant crime.” In contrast, Biden urged lawmakers to reconsider a bipartisan border package that failed earlier this month and called on Trump to collaborate with him on migration.
California Storm Threatens Record Snowfall and Travel Disruptions
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A massive California storm is expected to bring up to 10 feet of snow and blizzard conditions in some areas through the weekend. The most extreme conditions are anticipated at higher elevations in the Sierra Nevada mountains, with wind gusts exceeding 100 mph. Meanwhile, Texas is bracing for more dry air and ferocious winds, which may fuel the flames of several wildfires in the region. The Smokehouse Creek Fire, which has torched over 1 million acres in Texas alone, is the largest on record in the state.
Congress Averts Partial Government Shutdown with Stopgap Bill
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The House and Senate both passed a stopgap bill on Thursday to prevent a partial government shutdown. The legislation now awaits President Joe Biden’s signature. Congress faced two impending deadlines on March 1 and March 8, but this stopgap bill extends those deadlines to March 8 and March 22. This gives lawmakers more time to pass full-year appropriations bills, although deep GOP divisions remain.
Deadly Violence in Gaza Leaves Over 100 People Dead and Hundreds Injured
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At least 112 people were killed and hundreds more were injured in Gaza on Thursday after Israeli forces opened fire on Palestinians waiting for food supplies. Israel’s military confirmed that its troops fired on the crowds but gave contrasting accounts of the events, with some suggesting the crowd threatened their safety. Aid deliveries have dwindled in Gaza, leaving many on the brink of starvation. Drone footage from Israeli forces showed thousands of Palestinians gathering around aid trucks. UN Secretary-General António Guterres expressed shock and called for an immediate humanitarian ceasefire and the unconditional release of all Israeli hostages in Gaza.
CDC Recommends Additional Covid-19 Vaccine Doses for Older Adults and Considers Shift in Isolation Guidance
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Nearly 98% of the US population has some form of immunity to Covid-19, either through infection or vaccination. However, health experts warn that this only offers partial protection against infection or severe disease. In response, the CDC recommended that people aged 65 and older receive an additional Covid-19 vaccine dose. The current vaccine, which was updated last fall, remains highly effective and may cut the chances of symptomatic infection by half. Meanwhile, the CDC is considering a shift in its Covid-19 isolation guidance to allow people to stop isolating once they have been fever-free for 24 hours and their symptoms are mild or improving.
Funeral for Russian Opposition Leader Alexey Navalny in Moscow
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Hundreds of people are gathering in Moscow to pay their last respects to Russian opposition leader Alexey Navalny at his funeral on Friday. Navalny, a vocal critic of the Kremlin, died in a penal colony in Siberia while serving a 19-year sentence on various charges he denied and claimed were politically motivated. The cause of his death remains unclear, though some Western leaders have blamed Russian President Vladimir Putin for the incident.
Celebrities and Tycoons Attend Indian Billionaire Heir’s Pre-Wedding Bash
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Anant Ambani, an Indian billionaire heir, held a lavish pre-wedding celebration this week, with chartered jets for guests and a performance by Rihanna. The actual wedding is expected to be an extravagant event as well.
Iowa’s Caitlin Clark Declares for the 2024 WNBA Draft and Nears All-Time Scoring Milestone
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University of Iowa Hawkeyes basketball star Caitlin Clark announced that she has decided to declare for the 2024 WNBA Draft. She is also on the cusp of becoming college basketball’s all-time leading scorer.
MLB Superstar Shohei Ohtani Announces Marriage in Surprise Social Media Post
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Los Angeles Dodgers star Shohei Ohtani revealed on Thursday that he had gotten married. However, he shared few details about his wife’s identity to maintain privacy.
Oprah Leaves WeightWatchers’ Board as Company Faces Competition from Ozempic
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Media mogul Oprah Winfrey announced her departure from the board of WeightWatchers, marking the end of a nearly decade-long tenure as a director. The beleaguered company has faced sudden competition from Ozempic in the weight loss market.
Animal Health Precautions: Keeping Yourself and Your Pet Safe
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As animal lovers, it’s important to take certain precautions to keep ourselves and our pets healthy. Learn about some essential measures from a doctor’s perspective.
Priciest Vegetable in US Grocery Stores: Which One?
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Fresh vegetables are becoming more expensive at US grocery stores. Which vegetable experienced a significant price increase this year?
A) CarrotsB) MushroomsC) PeasD) Tomatoes
Take the quiz and test your knowledge!
Canada’s Former Prime Minister Brian Mulroney Dies at 84
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Brian Mulroney, Canada’s former prime minister from 1984 to 1993 and the signatory of the Canada-United States Free Trade Agreement with Ronald Reagan, passed away peacefully at the age of 84, surrounded by his family.
Boeing Given 90 Days to Produce Plan to Address Quality and Safety Issues; Faces Criminal Probe over Door Plug Issue
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The American plane maker Boeing has been given 90 days to present a plan detailing how it will address serious quality and safety issues. The Justice Department also announced that Boeing is facing yet another federal probe over its 737 Max door plug issue, which could lead to criminal liability for the company.
All Mount Everest Climbers Required to Use Tracking Chips Starting in 2023
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Starting in 2023, all climbers attempting to ascend Mount Everest will be required to use tracking chips. This move is intended to help reduce search and rescue time in the event of an accident.
Lunar Lander Odysseus Sends Final Photo Before Powering Down on the Moon
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Watch this Website video integration to see the parting shot from lunar lander Odysseus, which became the first American spacecraft to touch down on the moon in over 50 years before it ran out of power on Thursday.
