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Former CDC director believes virus came from lab in China
05:30 - Source: CNN
CNN  — 

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    The Nasdaq topped 10,000 for the first time ever, proving that during this period of economic uncertainty, America still has faith in tech stocks like Apple, Facebook, Amazon and Netflix.

    Here’s what you need to know to Get Up to Speed and On with Your Day.

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    1. Police reform

    Europe missed its chance to stop a third wave of the coronavirus pandemic before it got out of control. Now, with new lockdowns being imposed across the continent, it’s paying a high price. Some experts blame Europe’s current problems on politicians being too quick to ease restrictions. American public health officials worry the US could be next. States are pushing ahead with rolling back restrictions on businesses and large gatherings. And while Covid-19 vaccine access is rapidly expanding, two obstacles stand in the way of herd immunity and a return to normal life: highly contagious Covid-19 variants and vaccine hesitancy. In other news, the CDC is expected to update its physical distancing guidelines for schools from 6 feet to 3 feet today, saying it would make no significant difference in Covid-19 transmission rates. 

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    Dr. Birx: All deaths over first 100,000 could have been mitigated
    01:42 - Source: CNN

    MONDAY

    When it was announced that US and Chinese officials would be meeting in Alaska this week, it seemed like this could mark the start of a new relationship between the two countries. “So much for a reset,” writes CNN’s James Griffiths. The first meeting got off to a particularly heated start. After US Secretary of State Antony Blinken said the Biden administration would bring up “deep concerns” about some of China’s actions around the world, Chinese officials pushed back. They warned the US against meddling in their “internal affairs” and said it should “stop advancing its own democracy in the rest of the world.” For now, it appears that not much has changed since the major deterioration in relations we saw in the final year of President Trump’s term. A final set of talks is expected to begin today.

    screengrab suez canal stern dislodged
    Video shows ship partially dislodged from Suez Canal bank
    02:15 - Source: CNN

    3. Election 2020

    We’re starting to learn more about the victims who were killed when a gunman opened fire in three metro Atlanta spas earlier this week. Investigators are trying to piece together the movements and the motive of the suspect. Meanwhile, there’s a fierce debate underway over whether he should face hate crime charges for the attacks that left eight people, six of them Asian women, dead. President Biden and Vice President Harris are heading to Georgia today in a trip that had previously been planned to promote their Covid-19 relief package. They now plan to meet with Asian American leaders. 

    Elie Honig 03282021
    Here's what we know about the jury in Derek Chauvin's trial
    01:23 - Source: CNN

    4. Coronavirus

    The third former staffer to publicly accuse New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo of inappropriate conduct answered questions from investigators yesterday about her time in the governor’s office between 2013 and 2015. “It was a toxic, verbally abusive, retaliatory workplace, especially for young women like myself,” Ana Liss said. It’s the latest development regarding the investigation into multiple sexual harassment allegations facing the governor. Two other former staffers met with investigators earlier this week. Cuomo has repeatedly denied the allegations.

    screengrab myanmar biz
    CNN investigates conglomerate behind Myanmar's junta
    03:29 - Source: CNN

    5. Nigeria

    The US Supreme Court justices are expected to meet privately today to consider whether to take up Mississippi’s ban on abortions after 15 weeks of pregnancy. Conservative justices on the bench have shown that they want to topple abortion rights, but they can’t seem to agree on how far they will go, writes CNN’s Joan Biskupic. Their aims, based on recent writings, range from reversing Roe v. Wade, to forbidding clinics from challenging restrictions on behalf of women, to relaxing the standard that states must meet to limit women’s access to the procedure. Though the justices could decide to take up the case, they may also wait to take up one of several other abortion laws heading their way.

    BREAKFAST BROWSE

    Philanthropist MacKenzie Scott has remarried 

    People are remembering beloved children’s author Beverly Cleary, who died last week.

    Truly the author of countless childhoods.

    ‘Saturday Night Live’ explains the NFT phenomenon through rap

    And you’d be forgiven if you still don’t understand.

    Airbnb and Vrbo are overloaded with reservations

    After so long in quarantine, the hottest vacation destination is “anywhere but here.”

    A North Carolina woman won the lottery on her 20th wedding anniversary

    True love is nice, but a $370,000 prize is a close second.

    Miss art museums? The Louvre just put its entire art collection online

    To get the full museum effect, have a friend stand by and grumble disapprovingly every time you get too close to the screen.

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    TODAY’S NUMBER

    $27 billion

    That’s about how many hours unaccompanied migrant children are spending on average in Customs and Border Patrol Custody at the southern border. Sometimes that number climbs to 100 – well over the 72-hour legal limit.

    TODAY’S QUOTE

     Louisiana Rep.-elect Julia Letlow, who urged fellow Republicans to get vaccinated against Covid-19, citing her own tragic experience losing her husband to complications from the virus. 

    TODAY’S WEATHER

    daily weather forecast monday march 29
    Red flag warnings span 13 states
    02:04 - Source: CNN

    Check your local forecast here>>>

    AND FINALLY

    We had never considered that question, but since the Smithsonian Channel has asked it, we need to know. (Click here to view.) 

    Gotta get all scrubbed and shined up for the week, like this very satisfied tortoise. (Click here to view