5 things to know for March 17: Ukraine, Classified docs, Taxes, Pandemic, France

The world will look a bit greener immediately as many individuals put on the colour to have fun St. Patrick’s Day. Within the US and different international locations, the vacation is principally considered a celebration of Irish delight – however, curiously, St. Patrick wasn’t really Irish.

Right here’s what else you must know to Get As much as Pace and On with Your Day.

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Chinese language chief Xi Jinping will go to Moscow subsequent week for the primary time since Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, Beijing and the Kremlin confirmed immediately. The journey will mark a brand new milestone within the international locations’ rising partnership, as Western officers proceed to specific considerations that China could also be contemplating offering Russia with deadly navy help. In accordance with a Chinese language International Ministry spokesperson, the go to is to “urge peace and promote talks.” However China’s effort to current itself as a impartial peace dealer on Ukraine has been met with skepticism in Western capitals attributable to Beijing’s rising partnership with Moscow. China has each offered diplomatic help for Moscow and refused to sentence Russia’s assault on Ukraine – as an alternative blaming NATO for scary the battle.

Dozens of employees members at Donald Trump’s Mar-a-Lago residence have been subpoenaed to testify on the previous president’s dealing with of categorized paperwork. The particular counsel within the categorized paperwork probe has sought testimony from a variety of individuals near Trump – from his personal attorneys who characterize him within the matter to staffers who work on the grounds of his Florida property, together with a housekeeper and restaurant servers, sources stated. This comes because the Justice Division has spent a lot of the previous yr investigating the potential mishandling of nationwide safety data and potential obstruction. FBI brokers recovered greater than 100 categorized paperwork throughout a search of Mar-a-Lago final summer time. Since then, Trump’s authorized group has turned over extra categorized materials.

Not like the previous two tax-filing seasons, this yr seems to be going comparatively easily, tax preparers say. “After a couple of years of pandemic-related updates, mid-tax season IRS steering, last-minute tax regulation adjustments and extra, the ‘quiet’ is a welcome change to many,” the Nationwide Affiliation of Tax Preparers stated in a press release. Extra returns are being processed and extra refunds are being issued than on the identical level final yr, new statistics from the IRS point out. Nevertheless, the typical refund this yr, as anticipated, is smaller – down 11% to $3,028 as a result of pandemic-relief measures that boosted refunds have expired. If you happen to haven’t filed your taxes, you continue to have a few month: This yr’s official due date for returns is Tuesday, April 18.

Advisers to the FDA voted 16-1 on Thursday for full approval of Paxlovid, stating that the drug’s advantages outweigh any dangers for remedy of delicate to average Covid-19 in high-risk adults. Greater than 8 million folks within the US have obtained Paxlovid because it grew to become out there underneath emergency use authorization in 2021. Earlier than Paxlovid is absolutely accepted, the FDA – which generally follows the suggestions of its advisory committee – should conduct its personal overview. That’s anticipated to wrap up in Could. Individually, questions stay about how the pandemic might have affected maternal mortality within the US. Consultants say the US’ maternal mortality disaster was compounded by Covid-19, which led to a “dramatic” enhance in deaths.

Protests are escalating in France immediately after the federal government just lately introduced it could pressure the next retirement age from 62 to 64. French President Emmanuel Macron will set off particular constitutional powers to enact the proposed pension reform invoice, Prime Minister Elisabeth Borne introduced Thursday within the Nationwide Meeting, which had not but voted on the proposal. Labor leaders in France referred to as for brand spanking new demonstrations following Borne’s announcement, with a number of thousand protesters converging at Paris’ Place de la Concorde and in a number of different cities Thursday night. Large protests have been held recurrently all through France since mid-January, with tens of millions turning out to voice their opposition to the federal government’s plan.

Cute woman with ‘snarly smile’ wins over the web

This toddler obtained a lesson on “the right way to smile” after her lovely grimace grew to become the main target of her household pictures. Watch the video right here.

Taylor Swift’s Eras Tour begins this weekend

The pop star’s first tour in 5 years kicks off Saturday in Glendale, Arizona. Upfront of the tour, Swift additionally unveiled 4 unreleased songs.

Former President Barack Obama shares his March Insanity brackets

Obama, a loyal basketball fan, posted his predictions for this yr’s males’s and ladies’s NCAA tournaments. 

The world’s best locations of 2023, based on TIME

In search of some journey inspo? Take into account including a few of these gorgeous locations to your bucket record. 

Dunkin’ is retiring a fan-favorite drink

Say goodbye to the Dunkaccino, for now. The espresso chain has quietly pulled the favored drink from its menus, ending a greater than two-decade run.

Which fruit holds the highest spot on the Soiled Dozen record of nonorganic produce with probably the most pesticides?

A. Peaches

B. Strawberries 

C. Apples

D. Grapes

Take CNN’s weekly information quiz right here to see for those who’re right!

1 million+

That’s what number of plastic water bottles are offered each minute around the globe, based on a brand new report. The fast-growing bottle business, nonetheless, is making a gargantuan quantity of plastic waste – most of which isn’t recycled and results in landfills.

“The federal government, together with our worldwide companions, is worried about the way in which wherein this information could also be used.”

– An announcement from the UK, banning TikTok from official authorities gadgets on Thursday. The transfer follows comparable restrictions imposed by the US and different international locations over how the social media platform may entry customers’ private information. TikTok expressed disappointment on the choice, saying in a press release that the latest bans “have been based mostly on elementary misconceptions and pushed by wider geopolitics.”

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A digital trip to Dublin

In honor of St, Patrick’s Day, watch this quick video to expertise the great thing about Dublin, Eire. (Click on right here to view)