5 things to know for Feb. 24: Ukraine, Toxic train, Weather, Voting rights, Weinstein

For those who’ve checked out flights recently, you could have been stunned by present ticket costs. The busy journey season is heating up, which implies heightened demand and dearer airfares. However if you happen to time issues proper and goal the “Goldilocks Window,” there’s probability you’ll snag a deal – even in the course of the peak interval.

Right here’s what else it’s good to know to Get As much as Velocity and On with Your Day.

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As we speak marks one yr because the begin of Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky stated that regardless of all of the hardships ensuing from the conflict, 2023 will probably be a significant turning level within the battle. “It was a yr of ache, sorrow, religion, and unity. And this yr, we remained invincible. We all know that 2023 would be the yr of our victory,” Zelensky stated in a press release. Many residents have left the capital of Kyiv at the moment, fearing a brand new wave of potential Russian assaults. In the meantime, Ukraine has referred to as on its allies to “redouble” their assist at this “essential stage of the conflict,” Ukraine’s International Ministry stated at the moment. Nationwide Safety Adviser Jake Sullivan has vowed the US would do all the things it may to get Ukraine the important thing gear it wants, though he stated F-16 fighter jets – which Kyiv has requested – weren’t “the important thing functionality” wanted for now.

Federal officers launched an preliminary report Thursday concluding that the poisonous prepare wreck in East Palestine, Ohio, was utterly preventable. The report discovered that one of many prepare’s automobiles carrying plastic pellets was heated by a sizzling axle that sparked the preliminary fireplace, in accordance with Jennifer Homendy, the chair of the security board. Because the temperature of the bearing acquired hotter, the prepare handed by two wayside defect detectors that didn’t set off an audible alarm message as a result of the warmth threshold was not met at that time, Homendy defined. A 3rd detector ultimately picked up the excessive temperature, but it surely was already too late by then. The report outlined how investigators will proceed analyzing procedures, practices and design previous to the prepare’s derailment. Thus far, the investigation discovered no proof the crew did something incorrect previous to the incident.

A winter storm transferring throughout the US is inflicting quite a few energy outages, flight cancellations and highway closures – and has put hundreds of thousands of individuals below climate warnings. Greater than 828,000 clients are with out energy this morning as a result of climate, in accordance with PowerOutage.us. Tens of millions of others are below numerous alerts throughout the West into the northern Plains, Nice Lakes area, New York and New England. In a uncommon occasion, some areas of Southern California will probably be below blizzard warnings at the moment, the Nationwide Climate Service stated. In the meantime, temperatures are heating up throughout the Southeast, the place at the least 50 file highs have been reported on Thursday. The dueling winter storm and southern warmth wave created a stark 100-degree temperature distinction between the Northern Rockies and the South earlier this week. 

Minnesota’s Democratic Gov. Tim Walz is poised to signal a invoice that might pace up the fitting to vote for ex-felons. Walz is anticipated to signal the laws, known as Restore the Vote by its supporters, into regulation as early as subsequent week, his workplace stated. The invoice will restore the voting rights of 1000’s of convicted felons this summer season as soon as they go away jail, as an alternative of after they full parole. As soon as signed by Walz, the measure means Minnesota will be a part of 21 different states that routinely restore the fitting to vote for some or all ex-felons upon their launch from jail. However the invoice hasn’t been with out authorized challenges and contentious political debate. Eradicating obstacles to voting for former felons has been the topic of partisan bickering in some states due to the notion that this group of voters is extra prone to assist Democratic candidates.

Harvey Weinstein, the previous Hollywood mogul already serving a 23-year jail sentence in New York, was sentenced in Los Angeles Thursday to an extra 16 years in jail for prices of rape and sexual assault. Previous to the sentence, Weinstein spoke in courtroom and continued to disclaim any wrongdoing. “I by no means knew this girl, and the very fact is she doesn’t know me. That is about cash,” he stated. “Please don’t sentence me to life in jail. I don’t deserve it,” he added. The sentencing was the second for Weinstein on sexual assault prices since reporting by The New York Instances and The New Yorker in 2017 revealed his alleged historical past of sexual abuse, harassment and secret settlements as he used his affect as a Hollywood energy dealer to benefit from younger ladies.

‘Cocaine Bear’ assessment

The killer-animal comedy premieres in US theaters at the moment. Nevertheless, the gory moments within the film “are a complete lot extra lifelike than the bear itself,” CNN’s Brian Lowry writes on this assessment.

Sleep this manner so as to add years to your life

These sleep habits added practically 5 years to a person’s life expectancy and virtually 2.5 years to a lady’s life, a brand new examine discovered.

Paris Hilton reveals new child son’s title

Right here’s a touch: He’s additionally named after a metropolis.

Tremendous Bowl halftime present attracts FCC criticisms

Many viewers loved Rihanna’s halftime efficiency (and passionately sung alongside to each music.) Some others, nonetheless, believed it was “too sexualized” and submitted complaints to federal regulators.

Bezos hires agency to discover the potential for NFL crew bid

Amazon founder Jeff Bezos employed a agency to analysis a potential bid for the NFL’s Washington Commanders, sources advised the Washington Put up.

President Joe Biden made a extremely secretive journey to which nation this week?

A. Russia

B. Ukraine 

C. North Korea

D. China

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$21 billion

That’s how a lot Individuals collectively have in unspent present playing cards. Virtually two-thirds of customers have at the least one unspent present card tucked away in a drawer, pockets or purse. And at the least half of these customers lose a present card earlier than they use it, in accordance with a brand new report.

“Ajay is uniquely geared up to steer the World Financial institution at this important second in historical past.”

– President Joe Biden, saying Thursday that he’s nominating Ajay Banga, a former MasterCard government, to function president of the World Financial institution. “Raised in India, Ajay has a novel perspective on the alternatives and challenges going through growing international locations and the way the World Financial institution can ship on its formidable agenda to scale back poverty and broaden prosperity,” Biden added. The World Financial institution, a bunch of 187 nations, lends cash to growing international locations to assist cut back poverty.

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Otter mothers wrap their infants in seaweed blankets

In addition they adorably maintain palms whereas napping to keep away from floating away from one another. How cute! (Click on right here to view)