Good morning. Read on to find out how the Milky Way is really making its way through the universe. Here’s what you need to know to Get Up to Speed and Out the Door.
1. Neil Gorsuch
For the second night in a row, President Trump infused a little reality show magic into politics. If the firing of acting Attorney General Sally Yates was a DC episode of “The Apprentice,” the roll out of Supreme Court nominee Neil Gorsuch was one of those season-ending episodes of “The Bachelor.” There was drama in the hours before the announcement as reports emerged that both Gorsuch and fellow finalist Thomas Hardiman were headed to DC. Turns out Hardiman never made it to Washington. The rose, or um, nomination went to Gorsuch. Despite the theatrics, Republicans were thrilled with the substance. Gorsuch is exactly the kind of solid conservative the GOP wanted to replace the late Justice Antonin Scalia. Democrats were left fuming and trying to decide what to do next. They can either fight Gorsuch’s nomination and risk the GOP getting rid of the filibuster (the Dems best weapon) for Supreme Court nominees, or they can let him through and risk further enraging an already angry left.
2. Confirmation hearings
As far as Trump’s Cabinet nominees go, Democrats have decided to fight any way they can. Ultimately Trump’s picks will be confirmed, but the Dems have decided to dish out a little pain during the process. They boycotted a Senate Finance Committee hearing, holding up votes on treasury secretary nominee Steve Mnuchin and health and human services secretary nominee Tom Price. They forced a vote delay on Jeff Sessions’ nomination for attorney general and admitted it was payback for the Trump travel ban. Nancy Pelosi, during a CNN Town Hall, called Gorsuch’s nomination “hostile.” Even Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer voted against Elaine Chao, Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell’s wife, to be transportation secretary. Yeah, we can see how that can make things awkward.
3. Ukraine
Things are heating up again in Ukraine. Fighting in the eastern part of the country between Ukrainian forces and pro-Russia rebels has escalated the past couple of days. Both sides are pointing fingers at the other for the acts of aggression, which has left eight Ukrainian soldiers dead. The US State Department and others just want the violence to stop. Russian troops intervened in Ukraine during a revolution, and have stayed in the Crimea region since. Russia formally announced the annexation of Crimea back in 2014.
4. Bangladesh
They’re some of the most persecuted people on Earth. And their situation may have just gotten worse. About 69,000 Rohingya refugees, fleeing violence in Myanmar, live in camps in Bangladesh. But they’re not recognized by the government there. So Bangladesh has come up with a plan for them — send them to an isolated island that’s often submerged in water. Thengar Char Island is 37 miles from the mainland, only about 115 square miles in size and floods during the monsoon season. A final decision hasn’t been made yet, but one government official called the whole idea “crazy.”
5. Quebec mosque attack
The man accused of killing six people in an attack on a mosque was known by activists for his far-right views. Alexandre Bissonnette often made statements online inspired by extreme right-wing French nationalists. He apparently was unknown to police and wasn’t on any watch lists. We’re learning more about the victims too. They were from Morocco, Algeria and Guinea. They were from all walks of life. They worked as civil servants, as a grocer, a university professor, pharmacy worker and a programmer.
BREAKFAST BROWSE
Gentle push
Did you know the Milky Way is being pushed by an unseen force? We didn’t either. It’s OK. It’s helping the galaxy on its journey across the universe.
No sweat
Who needs air conditioning? Not these buildings in Asia, where architects are using green solutions to help keep them cool.
Light it up
The little black dress gets a new kind of spotlight, thanks to high-tech material that lights up when you breathe.
Mystery solved
For two decades people in a town in India wondered why a mystery illness killed children every year. Now they know why — a fruit called lychee.
Triple joy
Say congrats three times to musician Pharrell Williams and his wife Helen Lasichanh. They just welcomed triplets into the world.
NUMBER OF THE DAY
42
The number of lawsuits President Trump has been named in since his inauguration
AND FINALLY …
Preschooler’s paradise
A dad and his 4-year-old daughter take on Coolio’s ’95 hip hop classic “Gangsta’s Paradise.” (Click to view)
