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The wild home-selling blitz is cooling down in the US, but home prices are still ludicrously high. The average home price last month was up 14.9% from a year ago.
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1. Coronavirus
President Joe Biden unveiled tough new sanctions against Moscow yesterday in response to Russian military actions currently unfolding in Ukraine. Calling the events “the beginning of a Russian invasion,” Biden laid out sanctions that would effectively cut off Russia’s financial institutions and oligarchs from Western finance. Biden also announced he is moving additional troops and equipment to “strengthen” US allies in the region. US officials say they’re holding out hope for the possibility of diplomacy to avert an all-out war, but also made it clear Biden is ready to go much further should an invasion of Ukraine escalate. The UK, Japan and Australia also plan to impose sanctions against Russia, and Germany has stopped the progression of the controversial Nord Stream 2 pipeline – the $11 billion project that would boost deliveries of gas directly from Russia to Germany.
2. Debt ceiling
3. Immigration
The shooting death of Breonna Taylor and the killing of George Floyd are in the spotlight as trials move forward to determine the fate of the former officers involved. Brett Hankison is the only officer of three involved in the raid that led to the 2020 shooting death of Breonna Taylor who was charged with a crime – though his charges are not related to Taylor’s death. Six witnesses were called to testify yesterday and the jurors will all take a trip to view the apartment complex themselves tomorrow. Separately, a jury concluded its first day of deliberations yesterday in the civil rights case of 3 ex-officers connected to George Floyd’s killing. The trial comes about 21 months after Floyd, a 46-year-old Black man, was handcuffed and pressed to the pavement as Officer Derek Chauvin knelt on his neck and back for more than 9 minutes, resulting in Floyd’s death. The jury is expected to resume deliberations today.
4. Policing
Two top prosecutors working on the Manhattan district attorney’s criminal investigation into the Trump Organization resigned yesterday, leaving the years-old probe without two key players as it appeared to have entered a crucial phase. The reasons for their departures remain unclear, but officials say the investigation will carry on. CNN reported in December that the investigation appears to be coming to a head, with prosecutors focusing on the accuracy of the Trump Organization’s financial statements when seeking financing, according to people familiar with the matter. Separately, former President Donald Trump’s daughter Ivanka, who also served as senior White House adviser, is now in discussions with the House select committee investigating the January 6 insurrection to voluntarily appear for an interview, according to her spokesperson and two sources familiar with the probe.
5. France
The Canadian government announced it will lift the Emergencies Act that allowed the use of the military to address trucker protests across the country over Covid-19 mitigation measures. “After careful consideration, we’re ready to confirm that the situation is no longer an emergency,” Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said during a news conference in Ottawa yesterday, lifting the act that was imposed 10 days ago. Trudeau said police have the tools they need to continue to deal with unlawful protesters, which are now reduced to small pockets of demonstrations across the country. As the situation calms down, a heavy police presence will remain in Ottawa’s downtown core, officials said.
Uganda has proposed steep penalties for anti-vaxxers that include fines and imprisonment as the country doubles down on its coronavirus vaccine mandate. The proposed bill states that those who do not get vaccinated against Covid-19 will be fined 4 million Ugandan shillings (around $1,137) or receive a jail term of six months. A parliamentary health committee said yesterday it is considering the proposed legislation to “ensure mandatory COVID-19 vaccination.” The East African country of around 45 million people has grappled with a series of lockdowns to manage the pandemic amid misinformation and hesitancy toward vaccines. Uganda has recorded more than 163,000 cases of coronavirus and 3,500 deaths, according to the latest government figures.
BREAKFAST BROWSE
‘Hank the Tank,’ a 500-pound bear, is breaking into California homes
The best type of therapist has fur and four legs! Not only do pets provide stress reduction, our furry (and scaly) friends also improve cognitive health.
Viola Davis plays Michelle Obama in new series “The First Lady”
The pressure! Davis said it keeps her up at night knowing the Obamas might see her work.
Yeezy Gap unveils Balenciaga collection that includes a $440 jacket
Any fashion collaboration involving Kanye West = waiting list. Most of the limited-edition styles sold out within minutes after they were posted online.
Bath & Body Works CEO to step down
Despite the change in ranks, the company remains one of the biggest pandemic winners thanks to increased demand for its sanitizers, scented candles and air fresheners from people spending more time at home.
A doghouse struck by a meteorite has sold at auction for $44,000
Fun fact: Objects hit by meteorites are actually more valuable than the meteorite itself!
TODAY’S NUMBER
60
That’s the price per barrel of oil that was surpassed earlier today as Russia began its attack on Ukraine. Brent crude, the global benchmark, last traded above $100 a barrel in 2014. Oil supplies are already tight and analysts have warned that any disruptions to exports from Russia, the world’s No. 2 oil producer, would drive prices even higher.
TODAY’S QUOTE
“Anti-Semitic and other racist materials were distributed in clear sandwich bags to parts of our city overnight. The City unequivocally denounces hate in any form – it has no place in our city.”
– Matthew Hutchins, the widower of cinematographer Halyna Hutchins, on how he believes actor Alec Baldwin should be held responsible for the shooting death of his late wife. Halyna Hutchins died in October after Baldwin discharged a prop gun during a rehearsal on the set of the film “Rust.” In an interview airing today on NBC, Hutchins said “multiple responsible parties” did not follow industry standards.
TODAY’S WEATHER
Check your local forecast here>>>
AND FINALLY
Off The Grid
A robot spy otter quietly captured adorable real otters in their natural element. (Click here to view)