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Today is Presidents Day, a federal holiday in the United States commemorating George Washington’s birthday and honoring the nation’s commanders-in-chief. Many Americans are off work today – and most banks and postal services won’t work. If you’re planning on running errands today, see what’s open and closed ahead of time to avoid unnecessary travel.
Here’s what else you need to know to Level up and get on with your day.
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President Joe Biden made a surprise trip to Kyiv today – his first trip to Ukraine since the Russian invasion began nearly a year ago. Biden, in joint remarks alongside Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, announced half a billion dollars in additional aid. “A year later, kyiv stands. And Ukraine is standing. Democracy holds,” Biden said. The visit comes just days before the first anniversary of Russia’s invasion of the country and after multiple invitations from Zelensky, who said he thought it was important for Biden to see the situation up close. The visit also follows in the footsteps of other world leaders in Europe who met with Zelensky.
Residents of East Palestine, Ohio are expressing anxiety and health issues after a train carrying hazardous materials derailed earlier this month. As authorities have repeatedly sought to assure residents that the community’s water and air are safe, residents have reported skin rashes, nausea and headaches. It comes after vinyl chloride was released from the train after the derailment – a chemical which has the potential to kill at high levels and increase the risk of cancer. The state now plans to open a health clinic in eastern Palestine on Tuesday for residents concerned about possible symptoms. The Biden administration announced it had deployed experts to help assess the dangers that remain in the region after Ohio Governor Mike DeWine requested medical teams from the CDC and the US Department of Health. .
CNN presenter asks Ohio lawmaker if he would drink Eastern Palestine water
A shooting along a Mardi Gras parade route in New Orleans on Sunday night left one dead and four injured, including a teenage girl. The gunfire erupted along the route of the popular Krewe of Bacchus parade, traditionally held ahead of the city’s boisterous Mardi Gras celebration on Tuesday. Police say a suspect has been arrested, although it is still unclear what led to the shooting. “We really wanted this to be a safe Mardi Gras and we will continue to work towards that,” said Hans Ganthier, deputy chief superintendent of the New Orleans Police Department. An investigation is underway to determine the shooter’s motive and whether other people were involved, police said.
North Korea today launched two ballistic missiles into waters off the east coast of the Korean Peninsula, the second such test in three days. Leader Kim Jong Un’s sister has warned that more missile tests are ahead unless the United States halts military drills with South Korea. Pyongyang also launched an intercontinental ballistic missile on Saturday, its third such test in less than a year. The US Indo-Pacific Command stressed its “ironclad” commitment to the defense of South Korea and Japan and said it was consulting closely with allies and partners about missile launches. “While we have assessed this event as not posing an immediate threat to U.S. personnel or territory, or to our allies, the missile launches highlight the destabilizing impact of the DPRK’s illegal weapons of mass destruction. [weapons of mass destruction] and ballistic missile programs,” he said, referring to North Korea by its official name.
North Korea Parade Shows Missiles and Kim Jong Un’s Potential Successor. See What It Looked Like
Turkey has halted most search and rescue operations nearly two weeks after a 7.8 magnitude earthquake killed tens of thousands of people, the country’s disaster management authority said on Sunday. . The death toll in Turkey and Syria stands at more than 46,500, according to the official Anadolu news agency. Also on Sunday, Secretary of State Antony Blinken announced $100 million in disaster assistance for Turkey and Syria as the countries grapple with the aftermath of the earthquake. Blinken took a helicopter tour of some of the hardest hit areas and told reporters it was “really hard to put into words” the devastation he saw, adding: “We are here to support the peoples of Turkey and Syria”.
Turkey’s orphanages and the children who lost everything
A dog jumps on a 12ft hammerhead shark
A daredevil dog jumped straight at a shark and luckily escaped the incident unscathed. Watch the video here.
Team Giannis defeats Team LeBron in the NBA All-Star Game
Boston Celtics forward Jayson Tatum also set a new goalscoring record.
‘Heartbreaking’: Visitor smashes Jeff Koons’ ‘Balloon Dog’ sculpture
A famous sculpture worth around $42,000 has shattered into tiny shards when a visitor accidentally kicked its podium. See the damage.
Kate Middleton brings royal elegance – and Zara earrings – to the BAFTA red carpet
Arriving at the British film industry’s equivalent to the Oscars, the Princess of Wales turned heads in a designer dress she had previously worn at the 2019 awards, paired with $28 earrings from fashion retailer Zara.
10 of the best cities in the world to see by bike
Say goodbye to rush hour traffic. These beautiful towns are best for tourists (and locals) who like to ride bikes.
Richard Belzer, the comedian and actor best known for playing Detective John Munch on “Law & Order: Special Victims Unit” and several other crime dramas, has died, according to his longtime manager. He was 78 years old. Belzer “passed away peacefully” on Sunday at his home in France, his manager said.
$6
This is what Beijing said it would offer low-income residents a monthly handout to offset inflation. The announcement sparked anger, with many saying 40 yuan (about $6) a month was not enough to help people meet their basic needs. “Is that like an insult? [The amount] just subsidize a bowl of noodles,” said a comment on Weibo, China’s equivalent of Twitter.
“He has the full support of his family and his medical team.”
– The Carter Center, announcing in a statement on Saturday that former President Jimmy Carter will begin receiving palliative care at his home “instead of additional medical intervention.” Jimmy Carter, a Democrat, is the oldest living US president in history at 98. The country’s 39th president has kept a low public profile in recent years due to the Covid-19 pandemic, but has continued to speak out against risks to democracy around the world, a longstanding cause for him.
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Graceful owl in slow motion
Before your day gets busy, take a moment to relax and watch this majestic owl in flight. (Click here to view)
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