Your Weekly Briefing: Self-Service Screening at Harry Reid Airport, Pi Day, and the Latest News
Introduction:
Welcome to your weekly briefing where we bring you the latest news, events, and interesting happenings from around the world. This week, the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) introduces a new self-service screening system at Harry Reid International Airport in Las Vegas. In addition to this, we have updates on Microsoft’s cyberattack, the presidential race, and the IRS tax filing program, among other things.
Monday:
1. Muslim Holy Month of Ramadan Begins: The first day of fasting for the Muslim holy month of Ramadan, which ends at sundown on April 9, marks the beginning of this sacred period. If you’re not Muslim but wish to respect your fasting friends and colleagues, please refer to our insightful Ramadan etiquette guide.
2. Online Sports Betting Goes Live in North Carolina: Just in time for the NCAA’s March Madness men’s and women’s college basketball tournaments, contact sports betting goes live in North Carolina on March 11.
Tuesday:
1. Georgia, Hawaii Republican Presidential Caucuses, Mississippi, Washington, Northern Mariana Islands Democratic Primary, and Democrats Abroad presidential primary take place on this Super-ish Tuesday.
2. Robert Hur’s Testimony in House Judiciary Committee: Special counsel Robert Hur is expected to testify at a public hearing in front of the House Judiciary Committee regarding President Biden’s handling of classified documents.
3. IRS Fully Opens Its Free Tax Filing Program: The IRS fully opens its free tax filing program, Direct File, to eligible tax filers in 12 pilot states.
Wednesday:
Elon Musk’s Third Attempt at Launching Starship Rockets
Thursday: Pi Day and Hollywood and Antisemitism in “One Thing” Podcast
Friday:
1. Voters in the Northern Mariana Islands Select a Candidate: Voters in the Northern Mariana Islands, a US territory, select a candidate in the Republican presidential caucuses.
2. Ides of March: The Ides of March marks the day Julius Caesar was assassinated by a group of Roman senators. Be cautious!
3. Apple TV+’s “Manhunt”: A conspiracy thriller about the hunt for John Wilkes Booth in the aftermath of President Abraham Lincoln’s assassination is Apple TV+’s latest limited series.
4. New Film Releases: “The American Society of Magical Negroes,” “Arthur the King,” and “Knox Goes Away” hit theaters.
Saturday: Indian Wells, California – 2024 BNP Paribas Open
Sunday: Selection Sunday for March Madness
One Thing: Hollywood and Antisemitism in “One Thing” Podcast
Additional Information:
1. TSA’s New Self-Service Screening System: The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) has introduced a new self-service screening system at Harry Reid International Airport in Las Vegas. This technology allows travelers to scan their own items, reducing the need for manual checks and potentially expediting wait times.
2. Microsoft’s Cyberattack: Russian state-backed hackers gained access to some of Microsoft’s core software systems in a hack first disclosed in January. This breach has proven more extensive and serious than previously known, with Microsoft revealing that the attackers had successfully breached its Exchange email servers.
3. Presidential Race: In a bid to determine the November’s presidential election contenders, primary season continues until every state and territory has had its say. The next major event is on Super-ish Tuesday, when Georgia, Hawaii’s Republican presidential caucuses, Mississippi, Washington, the Northern Mariana Islands Democratic primary, and Democrats Abroad presidential primary take place.
4. Robert Hur’s Testimony: Special counsel Robert Hur is expected to testify at a public hearing in front of the House Judiciary Committee regarding President Biden’s handling of classified documents. However, he ultimately declined to bring criminal charges against the president and painted a damaging portrait of an aging president beset by memory issues.
5. IRS Free Tax Filing Program: The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) fully opens its free tax filing program, Direct File, to eligible tax filers in 12 pilot states.
6. Elon Musk’s Third Attempt at Launching Starship Rockets: SpaceX founder Elon Musk aims for a third attempt at launching his massive Starship rocket. The previous two attempts failed to reach orbit and resulted in spectacular mid-flight explosions, known as “rapid unscheduled disassemblies.”
7. Pi Day: March 14 is Pi Day, a day dedicated to celebrating the mathematical constant pi (3.1415926535…) and its numerous applications in mathematics, science, and engineering.
8. Apple TV+’s “Manhunt”: A seven-part conspiracy thriller series, “Manhunt,” premieres on Apple TV+. The show focuses on the hunt for John Wilkes Booth in the aftermath of President Abraham Lincoln’s assassination.
9. New Film Releases: Three new films, “The American Society of Magical Negroes,” “Arthur the King,” and “Knox Goes Away,” hit theaters.
10. Indian Wells, California – 2024 BNP Paribas Open: The 2024 BNP Paribas Open tennis tournament continues in Indian Wells, California. However, Rafael Nadal has withdrawn from the competition due to injuries.
11. March Madness: March Madness, college basketball’s “Big Dance,” is right around the corner, with conference championships leading up to Selection Sunday on March 12.
Conclusion:
That’s a wrap for this week’s briefing. We hope you found our roundup of news, events, and interesting happenings informative and engaging. Join us next week for another installment, and don’t forget to check out News Finder Sports and Bleacher Report for more sports-related news!
