Former New England Patriots tight end Aaron Hernandez has committed suicide in prison, The New York Times reported. He had been serving a life sentence for the murder of 27-year-old Odin Lloyd, and he was acquitted of additional murder charges in a separate case on Friday. “Mr. Hernandez hanged himself using a bedsheet that he attached to his cell window,” the Massachusetts Department of Correction said in a statement. “Mr. Hernandez also attempted to block his door from the inside by jamming the door with various items.” He was pronounced dead at a nearby hospital about one hour after he was discovered hanging in his cell.

The Trump administration’s first notification of Iran’s compliance with the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action has been issued, according to Reuters News. Under the plan, which is designed to “rein in” Iran’s nuclear program, the State Department notifies Congress of the country’s compliance every 90 days. "President Donald J. Trump has directed a National Security Council-led interagency review of the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action that will evaluate whether suspension of sanctions related to Iran pursuant to the JCPOA is vital to the national security interests of the United States,” said Rex Tillerson.

The iPhone 8 may be delayed or not come with a fingerprint sensor due to complications with Apple’s component suppliers, Investors reported. “At this point, we do not believe Apple's optical fingerprint module provider has firm orders for production, which suggests Apple does not have functionality of the optical fingerprint sensor ready,” said Pacific Crest Securities analysts. According to sources, there are other problems as well that could lead to a delay of the iPhone 8, but analysts do not foresee volume issues.

Democrat Jon Ossoff received 48.1 percent of the vote in a special congressional election in Georgia, falling short of the 50 percent he needed to win a U.S. House seat, The New York Times reported. The seat was left vacant by Tom Price when he was appointed to serve as the new health and human services secretary for the Trump administration. Because Ossoff did not achieve the 50 percent he needed to win, he will face off against Republican Karen Handel in a runoff in June. “This is already a remarkable victory,” Ossoff said. “We defied the odds, shattered expectations, and now are ready to fight on and win in June.”

Despite claims that an “armada” was being sent toward North Korea to deter further missile testing, the USS Carl Vinson and three other warships were headed toward the Indian Ocean, according to The New York Times. “We are sending an armada, very powerful. We have submarines, very powerful, far more powerful than the aircraft carrier,” President Trump had said on Fox Business. “We have the best military people on Earth. And I will say this: he (Kim Jong Un) is doing the wrong thing.” However, the aircraft carrier and three other warships were actually headed in the opposite direction at the time to take part in a joint exercise with the Australian Navy. According to the Carl Vinson’s itinerary, it would not be heading toward the Sea of Japan for another 14 days.

Evacuations in Syria resumed on Wednesday, with thousands of people leaving villages near Idlib, Reuters reported. Previously, evacuations had been halted after a suicide bombing killed dozens of people. "The area of Zabadani is empty of militants after the last batch of them left this morning," said pro-government Sham FM radio. Nearly 45 buses with 3,000 people left the villages of al-Foua and Kefraya, headed for Aleppo. Another 11 buses departed from al-Zabadani.

A 39-year-old man killed three people in Fresno, California on Tuesday. Kori Ali Muhammad reportedly had a hatred for the government and white people, according to The New York Times. Police said that he was already wanted for the murder of a security guard when he killed a 34-year-old white man in a utility truck. He proceeded to shoot two other white men before police finally stopped him. “He made a decision to himself that he was not going to go to jail for shooting a security guard and was going to kill as many people as he could today,” said Fresno Police Chief Jerry Dyer. He went on to say that Muhammad expressed anti-white views to detectives.

Nintendo may launch a miniature Super Nintendo Entertainment System Classic before the holiday season, according to sources close to the company, The Verge reported. Games such as “Super Metroid,” “The Legend of Zelda: A Link to the Past,” and “Super Mario World” would be available for the rebooted console. Earlier in April, Nintendo announced that it would be ending its production of the rebooted NES Classic. Now, sources claim that the move was made to make room for the upcoming SNES Classic.

Fox News is reportedly discussing Bill O'Reilly's dismissal from the network. This comes following news that FOX and O’Reilly paid about $13 million to settle sexual harassment claims from several women, according to Newsweek. "Just like other prominent and controversial people, I'm vulnerable to lawsuits from individuals who want me to pay them to avoid negative publicity,” O’Reilly said on his website after the news broke. The Wall Street Journal reports that “a decision on O’Reilly’s future” could come within the next few days.

In a new video montage from North Korea, a missile can be seen landing on the U.S. and engulfing the country in flames, Reuters reported. The video was reportedly created to mark celebrations for the birthday of founding father Kim Il Sung. After the video was shown to a crowd, the audience cheered, according to local media. "When the performance was over, all the performers and participants in the military parade broke into enthusiastic cheers of 'hurrah!'," said the state run KCNA news agency. North Korea has been claiming that it successfully tested a new type of ballistic missile back in February.

Vice President Mike Pence says the U.S. is ready to respond to attacks from North Korea with “overwhelming force” if the country makes a move, according to CNN. "We will defeat any attack and meet any use of conventional or nuclear weapons with an overwhelming and effective American response," Pence said at the Yokosuka Naval Base in Japan on Wednesday. "All options are on the table. History will attest the soldier does not bear the sword in vain.” North Korea tested a missile on Sunday, but officials claimed that it failed seconds after its launch.

At least 38 people were arrested or received arrest warrants on Wednesday in Turkey for allegedly participating in protests, The New York Times reported. “These people are mainly those who attended protests after the referendum and raised their voice against the referendum result on social media,” said Deniz Demirdogen, a lawyer for one of the detained individuals. Protesters have been taking part in demonstrations since questions arose surrounding Turkey’s referendum vote this weekend. President Recep Tayyip Erdogan received 51.4 percent of the vote to receive new sweeping powers, but many claim the election results were falsified.

British Prime Minister Theresa May has called for an early election on June 8, which could give her Conservative Party a stronger mandate as Brexit rolls onward, the New York Times reported. Britain triggered Article 50 almost a month ago, marking its exit from the European Union. With a new election, opponents of Brexit may be able to “soften the terms” of Britain’s exit from the EU. “This announcement is one of the most extraordinary U-turns in recent political history, and it shows that Theresa May is once again putting the interests of her party ahead of those of the country,” said Nicola Sturgeon, leader of the Scottish National Party.

According to police, Steve Stephens – the man accused of shooting 74-year-old Robert Godwin Sr. in Cleveland – has died, ABC News reported. Stephens was pursued by Pennsylvania State Police before he eventually shot and killed himself in Erie County. He had been on the run since Sunday when he shot Godwin and live-streamed the incident on Facebook. Online, Stephens claimed he had committed other murders, but police did not find any evidence of his supposed crimes.

The Union of Turkish Bar Associations (TBB) believes Turkey’s Electoral Council (YSK) may have corrupted the referendum vote, and it is one of many groups disputing the outcome of the election, Reuters News reported. With the victory in the referendum election, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan is set to receive sweeping new powers. However, the TBB believes the YSK began counting unstamped ballots near the end of the election, which is illegal. The People’s Republican Party says it will also present a formal appeal to annul the vote to the YSK, and a member of the Council of Europe believes as many as 2.5 million votes may have been manipulated. "The people's will has been reflected at the ballot box, and the debate is over," said Prime Minister Binali Yildirim. "Everyone should respect the outcome, especially the main opposition.” – REUTERS

Snapchat has introduced a new feature called World Lenses, which generates 3-D objects in the app that people can walk around while in-frame, Techcrunch reported. In an intro video, people using Snapchat can be seen walking around a park as 3-D flowers bloom around them. “We launched Lenses over a year ago as a whole new way to express ourselves on Snapchat,” the company wrote in a blog post. “Since then, we've become puppies, puked rainbows, face-swapped with our best friends — and begun to explore how Lenses can change the world around us.” World Lenses is rolling out to app users today.

Vice President Mike Pence has reiterated the U.S.’s commitment to working with its allies near the Korean Peninsula to “rein in” North Korea, Reuters reported. "The era of strategic patience is over and while all options are on the table, President Trump is determined to work closely with Japan, with South Korea, with all our allies in the region and with China to achieve a peaceable resolution and the denuclearization of the Korean peninsula," Pence said on Tuesday. The vice president is meeting with Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe today in an effort to “persuade China to play a larger role” in the North Korea conflict.

A new study suggests that approximately 8 million American adults suffer from “serious psychological distress,” and those individuals are less likely to seek healthcare services than their counterparts, Reuters reported. To draw their conclusions, the scientists looked at survey data from 207,853 adults between 2006 and 2014. “Adults with serious psychological distress are more likely to experience delays in healthcare, insufficient money for needed healthcare, change their place of health care, and change their place of healthcare due to insurance,” said Judith Weissman, lead author of the study. She went on to say that these individuals are more likely to be limited in terms of their ability to work.

Illinois Rep. Peter Breen has proposed a new bill that could ban the forced removal of travelers from planes by state or local government employees, Reuters reported. This comes after Dr. David Dao, 69, was physically removed from a United flight. In the incident, he suffered a broken nose and concussion, and lost two teeth. "A commercial airline that removes validly seated customers without serious cause breaches the sacred trust between passengers and their airlines," Breen’s bill states. In a statement, Breen called Dao’s situation “inexcusable” and said “it must be stopped.” – REUTERS

A North Atlantic right whale that was found dead in Cape Cod Bay may have been struck by a ship, according to experts, The Washington Post reported. The whales, which are feeding on plankton in the area, are an endangered species. According to the World Wildlife Fund, there are only approximately 350 of them in existence. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration officials who examined the deceased whale saw bruising that is consistent with a ship hit. They are now warning local vessels to be mindful of the whales as they feed.

President Trump is expected to sign an executive order that will change a temporary visa program to support his “buy American and hire American” initiative, Reuters reported. With the executive order in place, the departments of Homeland Security, State, Justice and Labor will be asked to “crack down” on alleged “fraud and abuse” in the visa program, and to ensure that H-1B visas only go to " the most skilled or highest paid applicant. An official familiar with the order says that it will “call for the strict enforcement of all laws governing entry into the United States of labor from abroad for the stated purpose of creating higher wages and higher employment rates for workers in the United States.”

Experts have reported a moose population explosion at Isle Royale National Park in Michigan, according to The Washington Post. Scientists say that there are only two wolves remaining at the park, giving the moose an opportunity to thrive. At one point (as recently as 2009), there were 24 gray wolves around the park. However, the population has since inbred, and the number of wolves has begun to steadily drop. “It’s a race between the slowly growing trees and the rapidly growing moose,” said scientist Rolf Peterson, noting the population of balsam firs, the favorite food of the moose.

A new video released on Tuesday shows Prince William and Lady Gaga discussing mental illness and the issue surrounding stigmas, CNN reported. "I should be so happy, but you can't help it when in the morning you wake up, you are so tired, you are so sad, you are so full of anxiety and the shakes that you can't barely think," the pop star tells the prince in the video. "It's time that everyone's (sic) speaks up," Prince William says. "Just having a conversation with a friend or family member can make such a difference." The two have plans to meet in October in the U.K. to focus on mental health and youth.

Arkansas Attorney General Leslie Rutledge says she intends to push for the scheduled executions of inmates before the end of April, Reuters reported. Two are slated for Thursday, another pair is scheduled for April 24, and one is planned for April 27. Two lethal injections were recently halted due to a ruling from the Arkansas Supreme Court. The state is attempting to execute prisoners using a batch of midazolam, a controversial lethal drug, before it expires. "I will continue to respond to any and all legal challenges brought by the prisoners," said Rutledge late Monday. "The families have waited far too long to see justice, and I will continue to make that a priority."

According to a CBS News analysis, ABC World News Tonight and USA Today were two of the many outlets that saw their Facebook pages lose “likes” in a recent purge by the social network, CBS News reported. Last week, Facebook warned that it would be eliminating fake accounts and “likes” in an effort to crack down on fictitious news. It said that Pages with more than 10,000 likes would see a drop of less than three percent. That said, some publishers saw notable differences, according to the CBS News analysis. About 38 percent of USA Today’s “likes” were deemed fake, for example. ABC World News lost 6.7 percent of its “likes,” and CBS Evening News dipped 12 percent.

A multi-state manhunt is underway for 37-year-old Steve Stephens, accused of killing 74-year-old Robert Godwin Sr. on the streets of Cleveland, Ohio, and broadcasting the crime on Facebook Live, The Washington Post reported. According to local law enforcement, at about 2 pm on Easter Sunday, Stephens announced on Facebook that he had "found somebody I'm about to kill," before exiting his vehicle, approaching Godwin on the street, asking him to say the name "Joy Lane" and then shooting him. (The entire incident took about 1 minute to unfold.) The two men apparently did not know one another. Authorities - who apparently spoke with Stephens by phone following the crime - caution that Stephens is armed and dangerous, and if they see him, witnesses should not approach him, but instead call 911.

Speaking in South Korea, just a day after a failed missile test by the North, US Vice President Mike Pence warned that the "era of strategic patience is over," according to Reuters. In a joint press conference with acting South Korean President Hwang Kyo-ahn, Pence pointed to "the strength and resolve" shown by the Trump administration in Syria and Afghanistan as evidence that they would continue to take action when necessary. He did also allow that Washington would seek security "through peaceable means, through negotiations." South Korea is the first stop for Pence on a four-nation tour of Asia.

International monitors have raised concerns about Turkey's referendum vote this weekend, which would give President Recep Tayyip Erdogan "sweeping new powers," Reuters reported. The final tally showed 51.4% of voters in favor of the change, which could keep Erdogan in power until 2029 or beyond, and allow him to appoint or remove officials and senior civil servants without oversight. Among the allegations: administrative resources were inappropriately allocated to promote the campaign, opponents of the move were labeled as "terrorist sympathizers," and late changes were instituted regarding how ballots would be counted, removing "an important safeguard." The head of the Council of Europe, a human rights organization, said the referendum did not live up to democratic standards. Erdogan dismissed the criticisms as products of Europe's "crusader mentality." Sadi Guven, the head of Turkey's electoral body, has confirmed the validity of the results.

A new working paper from the National Bureau of Economic Research indicates the popular conception of a social media "bubble," in which algorithms reinforce user biases by filtering out ideologically-oppositional content, may not be accurate, a story from Vice said. Economics professors Jesse Shapiro (of Brown University) and Matthew Gentzkow (of Stanford) observed that the most polarized groups in the US are also those demographics least likely to use the internet and social media regularly. (The initial data on which they based their observations comes from the American National Election Studies, jointly produced by Stanford and the University of Michigan.) The authors conclude that, while social media may cause people to become more polarized over time, it's likely not the root cause of extreme or fringe beliefs. – VICE

The Trump family hosted the White House's 139th annual Easter Egg Roll this morning, with 21,000 in attendance, according to CNN. First Lady Melania Trump kicked off the celebration by thanking staff, volunteers and the military band, and calling the yearly event "a wonderful tradition." During his remarks, the President mused on the long history of the egg roll, dating back to 1878, and noted that the country is "better as a nation than ever before. We're right on track." The event started at 7:30 am ET this morning, with attendees arriving in waves every two hours for performances and the roll itself, in which kids chase wooden eggs around the White House lawn with a spoon. A candid moment in which the First Lady appeared to nudge her husband, reminding him to place his hand over his heart for the National Anthem, got a lot of media attention this morning.

Impeached former South Korean President Park Geun-hye has been indicted on 18 charges ranging from bribery to the leaking of government secrets, NPR reported. Park could face life imprisonment if convicted on all charges, particularly the bribery charge, which by itself carries a punishment of 10 years to life. Many of the allegations concern Park's friend Choi Soon-sil, who is accused of colluding with the former president to coerce conglomerates into donating millions to a pair of non-profit organizations. The case also involves Choi's connections to Lee Jae-yong, a high-ranking executive with South Korea's largest conglomerate, Samsung.

Kathrine Switzer, the first woman to officially compete in the Boston Marathon in the 1960s, ran it again this year at age 70, as per a NY Times report. In 1967, Switzer registered for the then men-only competition as "K.V. Switzer" to disguise her gender, and was nearly forced off the track by an official during the race. (Nevertheless, she persisted, finishing with a time of 4 hours and 20 minutes.) Women were officially allowed to compete in the marathon beginning in 1972, and this year, around 13,000 women competed in the race. Switzer does not hold the record for the first-ever woman to run the marathon, however. In 1966, Roberta Gibb started the race in a gender-masking hoodie, and unofficially finished with a time about an hour faster than Switzer.

Over 1,000 Palestinian prisoners being held across Israel launched a hunger strike to demand better conditions, according to the New York Times. The strike is apparently being led by Marwan Barghouti, a popular Palestinian leader currently serving five life sentences for directing attacks against Israelis during the Second Intifada. Demonstrations in sympathy with the prisoners were held around the West Bank, including Ramallah, the home base of the Palestinian Authority. Specific demands by the prisoners include an end to solitary confinement, improved health care and education options, and enhanced visitation rights. Barghouti is a member of the Fatah party, and despite his imprisonment appears to be a popular choice to replace current leader Mahmoud Abbas. Nonetheless, Fatah rivals Hamas have voiced support for the strike. A total of about 5,000 Palestinians are in Israeli prisons.

In another headache for the beleaguered company, an engaged couple were apparently removed from a United Airlines flight en route to their wedding in Costa Rica, CNBS reported. The couple - Michael Houl and Amber Maxwell - told local media that a federal marshal was brought in to escort them off of a plane in Houston, Texas, and that they were not allowed to pay for a seat upgrade. United has denied that any authorities were involved in the incident, and insists that the couple refused upgraded seating and would not follow crew instructions. David Dao, the 69-year-old doctor who was seen being dragged from a different United flight, has said he will likely sue the airline, which has vowed to alter its policies about removing passengers from overbooked flights.

Five people were killed when a small plane crashed into a supermarket's loading area in Portugal, near Lisbon, Fox News reported. All four crew members flying in the light aircraft, which is believed to have exploded before impact with the ground, perished in the accident, along with a truck driver who was unloading goods in the Lidl market's parking garage. Four people who were shopping at the market at the time were also treated for shock and smoke inhalation.

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Syria’s army says that a U.S.-led airstrike hit poison gas supplies on Wednesday in the Deir al-Zor province, but a U.S. spokesman says that no airstrikes were held at that time in the area. The gas supplies belonged to ISIS, and when they were released into the air, “hundreds” died. "The Syrian claim is incorrect and likely intentional misinformation," said U.S. Air Force Colonel John Dorrian, a spokesman for the coalition. The reports also could not be independently verified, Reuters reported.

Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi said on Thursday that “military force cannot resolve the issue” with North Korea, Reuters reported. This comes as North Korea prepares to celebrate its biggest national day, “Day of the Sun.” Some believe that North Korea will use the occasion to launch another test missile, and it is unclear how the U.S. would react. "Amid challenge there is opportunity. Amid tensions we will also find a kind of opportunity to return to talks,” said Wang. "Whoever provokes the situation, whoever continues to make trouble in this place, they will have to assume historical responsibility.”

An arrest warrant has been issued for a 26-year-old Iraqi man who was detained after a team bus for Borussia Dortmund was attacked earlier this week, according to Reuters. Three explosions occurred on the bus, injuring player Marc Bartra. German prosecutors, who issued the arrest warrant, believe the man – identified as Abdul Beset A. – may be a member of ISIS. However, the Federal Prosecutor’s Office says there is not enough evidence yet to verify these claims.

A new study suggests that people are less likely to be hospitalized for heart attacks and strokes in areas where trans fats are restricted, such as New York City, according to a Reuters report. "New York City was progressive and they enacted restrictions on trans fats, but no one looked to see if this made measurable changes to outcomes," said study lead author Dr. Eric Brandt. The researchers looked at data on hospitalizations between 2002 and 2013 for heart attacks and strokes in counties that did and did not restrict the fats. Since 2002, the overall rates have dropped, but more significant declines were seen in areas where trans fats were restricted in some form.

Poland's Interior Minister says that the country wants to establish legislation that will permit the detention of asylum seekers in border camps. In an interview on Thursday, he noted that a similar move has “worked well” for Hungary in the past. "My task is to assure the safety of Poles,” he said. We must be also prepared for this bad scenario, which I hope will not happen. The bad scenario is a wave of migration that could sweep across Poland." The interior minister went on to argue that by accepting migrants under EU law, the security of Poles would be at risk, Reuters said.

On Thursday, Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe said that it’s possible that North Korea may try to launch missiles with sarin, the deadly chemical that was reportedly used in the Idlib gas attack, Reuters reported. "There is a possibility that North Korea already has a capability to deliver missiles with sarin as warheads," Abe said. In the April 4 gas attack in Syria, 89 people died after being exposed to a chemical thought to be sarin, which is a banned chemical warfare agent.

“Friends! The Musical,” based on the 90s sitcom, will debut in New York City this coming fall, according to The Hollywood Reporter It comes from the creators of other unofficial parodies, such as “90210! The Musical” and “Full House! The Musical.” Bob and Tobly McSmith wrote the “Friends” themed play, which will feature songs such as “The Only Coffee Shop in New York City” and “45 Grove Street – How Can We Afford This Place?” Tickets for the play will go on sale in June.

Every passenger who was on the United flight featured in a viral video last week has been offered a refund, The New York Times reported. Dr. David Dao, 69, was forcibly removed from a United flight in Chicago, and the incident was captured on video. Dao’s lawyers have since asked an Illinois court to preserve the footage as an investigation into the matter continues. United CEO Oscar Munoz later said that “no one should be treated that way” after viewing the video.

In an interview with NPR, former president George W. Bush discussed topics including Mexico, immigration, and proposed budget cuts to foreign aid. “I laid out what I thought was a comprehensive plan that would work in an Oval Office address when I was the president,” he said on relations with Mexico. “I still think that's going to be the plan that ends up being adopted at some point in time.” He also advocated for the continued funding of the President's Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief program. "I believe in this case that it's in our national security interests as well as in our moral interest to continue funding this program,” Bush said.

Approximately 100 people are missing after a boat sank off the coast of Libya, according to a local coastguard official, Reuters reported. The boat, which was being used by migrants, was near Tripoli when it went down. Survivors tried to use an inflatable boat to get to shore; nearly 120 boarded the raft, but only 23 made it to land. "Some 97 are still missing, including 15 women and children," said a Coastguard spokesman. "What happened is that the base of the boat got wrecked and the boat had sunk."

President Trump said on Wednesday that NATO is “no longer obsolete,” reversing comments he made in 2016 while campaigning, according to NPR News. This came after he met at the White House with the alliance's secretary general, Jens Stoltenberg. “I complained about that a long time ago, and they made a change, and now they do fight terrorism,” President Trump said. Last year, Stoltenberg said that NATO members increased their individual defense spending by $10 billion, adding that NATO troops have been “fighting shoulder to shoulder” with the U.S. in Afghanistan.

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Last year, the FBI reportedly sought a court order to monitor the communications of Trump campaign adviser Carter Page. According to anonymous officials, the court order indicated that Page may have been engaging in intelligence activities on behalf of Russia, The Guardian reported. The adviser has been in contact with a Russian intelligence operative since 2013. However, Page has said that he did not have “improper ties” to Russia and he was “happy” the court order had become public knowledge. "There had been prior reports, but I was so happy to hear that further confirmation is now being revealed,” said Page. “It shows how low the Clinton/Obama regime went to destroy our democracy and suppress dissidents who did not fully support their failed foreign policy.”

In an effort to remain competitive with e-retailers, Wal-Mart stores are now providing “pickup discounts” to shoppers who buy items online and pick them up in-store, Reuters reported. Online orders on Wal-Mart’s website may already come without shipping charges for customers. However, this new move will provide an additional discount and incentive for shoppers to visit brick-and-mortar stores. "This is a very material change in the value proposition we are offering customers," said Marc Lore, head of Wal-Mart’s e-commerce operations.

More than 1,500 migrants are now without shelter after a fire ripped through the Grande-Synthe camp in Dunkirk yesterday, according to the BBC. About 500 people have been able to find refuge at local gymnasiums, but everyone else has been sleeping outside, according to officials. The Grande-Synthe camp had been one of the largest facilities for migrants, many of who had originally lived at the “Jungle” camp near Calais. Yesterday’s fire destroyed about 70 percent of Grande-Synthe’s wooden huts.

Samsung says it has already sold out of the “premium” Galaxy S8 Plus with 6GB of RAM and 128GB of internal storage in South Korea, according to Androidheadlines. The company had originally made 150,000 units available for pre-orders, but they have all sold out. Samsung has already received more than 620,000 pre-orders for the Galaxy S8 and Galaxy S8 Plus in South Korea. To cater to demand, the company will manufacture more models with 6GB of RAM and 128GB of internal storage. However, it will not be able to do so before May. The popular model sells for more than $1,000.

A new report from the National Security Council suggests that Russia attempted to cover up the Syrian government’s role in the Idlib toxic gas attack last week, The New York Times reported. The four-page brief is in response to Moscow’s initial support for Syrian President Bashar al-Assad following the incident. “Russia’s allegations fit with a pattern of deflecting blame from the regime and attempting to undermine the credibility of its opponents,” the report reads. During a news briefing, White House press secretary Sean Spicer also added that there is “no question that Russia is isolated.”

A representative for David Letterman has confirmed that his mother, Dorothy Mengering, has passed away at the age of 95, according to The Hollywood Reporter. Mengering was known for her regular appearances on “The Late Show” before Letterman left the program. She first appeared on television on CBS during the 1994 Winter Olympics in Lillehammer, Norway. Mengering comically covered sports for “The Late Show,” and went on to do so for the next two winter games. "After Lillehammer, I couldn't believe how it all took off," she said back in 1996. "I think it's about the idea of mom and of a family."

In an interview with Fox Business, President Trump called Syrian President Bashar al-Assad an “animal” and criticized Russian President Vladimir Putin for supporting a “truly evil person,” Business Insider reported. Secretary of State Rex Tillerson meets with diplomats in Moscow today. President Trump went on to say that the U.S. is “not going into Syria.” After a toxic gas attack killed dozens of people in the city of Idlib last week, Trump ordered the U.S. Navy to launch 59 Tomahawk cruise missiles at Syria’s Shayrat airbase. “What I did should have been done by the Obama administration a long time before I did it and you would have had a much better, I think, Syria would be a lot better off than it has been,” Trump said.

A boat in the Mediterranean Sea capsized on Wednesday, killing three migrants, according to Reuters. The Spanish navy was able to save about 30 people from the sinking vessel. "They are from sub-Saharan Africa, but we do not know which country," said an official. The boat itself was approximately 10 miles from the southern coast of Spain. Between January 1 and April 9, nearly 1,000 migrants have traveled to Spain from North Africa, according to the International Organization for Migration.

A study suggests that middle-aged adults who have risk factors for heart attacks and strokes are also more likely to undergo brain changes that make them more susceptible to Alzheimer’s disease, according to a Reuters report. To draw their conclusions, the researchers looked at data from 346 adults who had been studied for their vascular risks for almost 30 years. When they were 52 years old (on average), they had yet to develop dementia. By about age 76, they underwent brain scans to look for signs of Alzheimer’s disease. “In our study, we found an association between the number of risk factors that people without dementia had when they were middle-aged and the risk of having amyloid in their brain when they were older,” said lead study author Dr. Rebecca Gottesman. “Each alone may not be enough to increase the risk of Alzheimer’s disease, but having a number of these risk factors appears to be associated with an even higher risk.”

The Associated Press reports that at least $1.2 million in payments from Ukraine went toward former Trump campaign chairman Paul Manafort’s U.S. consulting firm, Business Insider reported. This is according to new financial records, which list payments on the so-called “Black Ledger.” The handwritten ledger came to light last August and indicated Manafort may have received payments from Ukraine officials. U.S. federal prosecutors have been investigating Manafort’s engagement in Eastern Europe as a part of an anti-corruption probe. In addition, the former chairman has also been a part of congressional and FBI investigations into Trump associates’ contact with Russia’s government during the 2016 presidential election.

This week, the Pulitzer Prize winners for journalism, letters, drama and music were announced at a ceremony in New York City. The award for public service (journalism) went to the staff of the New York Daily News and ProPublica, while the Pulitzer for breaking news reporting was given to the staff of the East Bay Times. The New York Times received the nod for its international reporting, and David Fahrenthold (Washington Post) received the award for national reporting. In total, the New York Times received three Pulitzers – the most for any news organization in the group.

White House Budget Director Mick Mulvaney announced on Wednesday that the federal hiring freeze is being lifted, according to NPR. However, he added that “this does not mean agencies will be free to hire willy-nilly.” Instead, a more “strategic” and “surgical” plan will soon be put in place. He called it more practical and smarter, and emphasized that it will be based on President Trump’s budget proposal. The Trump administration is asking the public, along with agencies, to suggest new ways to rebuild the executive branch “from scratch,” noting that it has never been rebuilt.

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North Korea says that it is now “watching every move” made by its enemies with its focus on the United States, Reuters reported. In a statement in the Communist Party's official newspaper, the government said, "Our revolutionary strong army is keenly watching every move by enemy elements with our nuclear sight focused on the U.S. invasionary bases not only in South Korea and the Pacific operation theatre but also in the U.S. mainland.” South Korean acting President Hwang Kyo-ahn has instructed the country’s military to “intensify” its monitoring of the north. "It is possible the North may wage greater provocations such as a nuclear test timed with various anniversaries including the Supreme People's Assembly," said Hwang.

This morning, President Trump said that China will receive an improved trade deal offer if it solves the “North Korean problem," according to Bloomberg. On Twitter, Trump went on to say that “North Korea is looking for trouble ... If China decides to help, that would be great. If not, we will solve the problem without them!” Last week, President Trump met with the Chinese President for a two-day summit at his Mar-a-Lago club in Florida. The two were thought to have focused on trade and imports.

Apple is reportedly working on developing a chip that would improve the iPhone's battery life, Business Insider reports. It is doing so in-house with approximately 80 engineers. The new power management integrated circuit (PMIC) could be seen in the iPhone as soon as 2019, according to anonymous sources. At the moment, Apple works with Dialog Semiconductor, which produces power chips for features, such as extended battery life. "The company notes the level of visibility into the design cycle of its leading customers remains unchanged and the business relationships are in line with the normal course of business," Dialog said in a statement.

The Group of Seven (G7) did not vote to enhance sanctions on Syria and Russia when they met in Italy, according to Reuters. British Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson had proposed more sanctions on Syria following last week’s toxic gas attack. However, the G7 members could not agree on a deal. "There is no consensus at this time for new sanctions as an efficient method to reach our goal," said Foreign Minister Angelino Alfano. "There are obviously different opinions, and I am referring to my colleague Boris Johnson, who raised the issue. The position of the G7 is very clear. We support the sanctions that have already been introduced."

United Airlines CEO Oscar Munoz was criticized on Monday for his response to the viral video of a passenger being forcibly removed from a plane, Reuters reported. The video shows a man being physically dragged off of a plane. "When we approached one of these passengers to explain apologetically that he was being denied boarding, he raised his voice and refused to comply with crew member instructions,” Munoz said in a statement. One of the security officers involved in the dragging of the man has been placed on leave as authorities look further into the incident, according to a report in REUTERS

NASA is asking people to virtually “adopt” parts of the planet in honor of Earth Day, according to SCIWORLD. A total of 64,000 individual pieces of the planet are up for adoption on NASA’s “Adopt the Planet” page, and each piece is 55 miles wide. Once the 64,000 portions are adopted, NASA will restart the total so that everyone has an opportunity to participate. Upon “adopting” a part of the planet, participants get to see an interactive map of their section. “NASA's view of Earth from space gives a perspective that can't be gained from the ground,” the agency said in a statement. –

Secretary of State Rex Tillerson says that Syrian President Bashar al-Assad’s government is “coming to an end," the New York Times reported. He made the comments ahead of traveling to Russia, where he will meet with diplomats later this week. “We do not want the regime’s uncontrolled stockpile of chemical weapons to fall into the hands of ISIS or other terrorist groups who could and want to attack the United States or our allies,” Tillerson added. “Nor can we accept the normalization of the use of chemical weapons by other actors or countries in Syria or elsewhere.” The secretary of state said that Russian President Vladimir Putin will soon need to choose whether he wants to side with Assad or the West.

Eric Trump says President Trump was influenced by daughter Ivanka Trump before he launched 59 missiles on Syria last week, according to NBC News. Trump’s son made the comments while speaking to The Daily Telegraph, emphasizing that Ivanka had been “heartbroken and outraged” by the chemical attack in Idlib, Syria. "Ivanka is a mother of three kids and she has influence," said Eric Trump. "I'm sure she said, 'Listen, this is horrible stuff.' My father will act in times like that." He went on to call his father a “great thinker” and said that he is “practical, not impulsive.”

Gov. Robert Bentley has officially resigned after reaching a plea agreement on two misdemeanor charges, the New York Times said in a report. He is accused of failing to file a major contribution report and knowingly converting campaign contributions to personal use. On Friday, an investigation revealed that Bentley had “fostered an atmosphere of intimidation” when he encouraged his fellow employees to cover up a relationship with senior political advisor Rebekah Caldwell Mason. He was arrested on Monday.

New guidelines proposed by the U.S. Preventative Services Task Force says that men under 70 should have their prostate-specific antigen levels routinely checked, according to CNN. In 2012, the group had recommended against the testing, claiming that the “risks outweighed the benefits.” Now, it says that even men with no signs of prostate cancer under 70 should undergo the check. "We were very concerned in 2012 that many, many men were being treated for prostate cancer," said Dr. Kirsten Bibbins-Domingo, chairwoman of the task force. "The balance has shifted, and now we can recommend that men have a conversation with their doctors about screening."

One of two children who was shot yesterday in a San Bernardino elementary school has died, The Washington Post reported. Cedric Anderson, 53, shot two children when he opened fire on Karen Elaine Smith, his estranged wife. Eight-year-old Jonathan Martinez died from his injuries, and a nine-year-old boy – still unnamed – remains in stable condition at a local hospital. Anderson killed Smith before eventually taking his own life. “She loved life, her career, and especially her children,” said Joshua Smith, one of Smith’s children. “It seems surreal that she is gone, that I will no longer hear her voice and that she won’t see her granddaughter grow up. It hurts, but I know she is with God now.”

Rakhmat Akilov, the 39-year-old Uzbek native who killed four people in Stockholm last week, has admitted to committing a terrorist crime, according a story in the New York Times. His attorney says that he will plead guilty in court. Akilov stole a truck and drove into a crowd on Friday afternoon, killing four and injuring 15 other pedestrians. In addition to admitting to the crime, Akilov did not oppose continued detention. Judge Malou Linbolm had ordered Akilov to be held until May 11.

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The G7 summit is slated to take place in Italy today. Representatives from the Group of Seven industrialized nations are expected to discuss several topics, but Syria will likely dominate the talks. Secretary of State Rex Tillerson, British Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson and Japanese Foreign Minister Fumio Kishida are some of the many leaders attending the summit, which is being hosted by Italian Foreign Minister Angelino Alfano. Later this week, Tillerson will travel to Russia to meet with top officials, but Putin will not be one of them. "I'm hopeful that we can have constructive talks with the Russian government, with Foreign Minister Lavrov and have Russia be supportive of a process that will lead to a stable Syria," said Tillerson, according to a report with USA Today.

Recent cyber attacks on large companies were likely conducted using top-secret hacking tools, according to security researcher Symantec Corp, Reuters reported. Data suggests that the tools can be linked back to the CIA. The sectors targeted appear to be financial, telecommunications, energy, aerospace, education, national resources, and information technology. "It is important to note that CIA is legally prohibited from conducting electronic surveillance targeting individuals here at home, including our fellow Americans, and CIA does not do so," said agency spokesperson Heather Fritz Horniak.

Neil Gorsuch has been officially sworn in as the next Supreme Court justice. Justice Anthony Kennedy presided over Gorsuch's swearing in, which President Trump attended. On Friday, the Senate voted 54 to 45 to confirm him to the Supreme Court. He is filling the seat left vacant by the late Antonin Scalia. Gorsuch will begin his work as a Supreme Court justice as early as Thursday, which is when the court will meet to go over cases for its upcoming term, according to the Washington Post.

Later this spring, a Minecraft update will introduce a new in-app, paid marketplace full of player-created content, according to PCWorld. To start, Microsoft (which owns Minecraft) will have nine content creators fill the marketplace. Afterward, users can sign up to participate in a partner program that will allow them to generate content as well. The content – which includes Adventure maps and “skins” – will be available for download on the Xbox One and “pocket” mobile versions of the game.

New video shows a man being forcibly removed from a United Airlines flight headed to Louisville on Sunday night, according to Courier. In one clip, a person grabs the man’s arm, which causes him to start screaming. He is then dragged by his arms to the front of the plane. He was evidently one of four people selected to be removed from the flight, which was overbooked. When he declined to leave, physical force was used to remove him. "Flight 3411 from Chicago to Louisville was overbooked," said a United spokesperson. "After our team looked for volunteers, one customer refused to leave the aircraft voluntarily and law enforcement was asked to come to the gate.” The flight was delayed for two hours.

New York has approved a law to raise the criminal age of responsibility to 18, The Guardian reported. According to the Raise the Age NY campaign, approximately 28,000 teens between the ages of 16 and 17 face prosecution as adults, most of which are for minor crimes. Under the new law, teens under 18 will have their cases dealt with in family and youth courts. “Putting aside the fact that psychologists will testify that 16- and 17-year-olds often are not mentally mature, the reality of putting a 16- or 17-year-old in the same facility as hardened adult criminals is, on its face, cruel and unusual,” said Gov. Andrew Cuomo.

Over the weekend, French presidential hopeful Marine Le Pen said that France was not responsible for the 1942 Vel d'Hiv roundup, according to the Washington Post. The Velodrome d’Hiver, or “Vel d’Hiv,” was the indoor stadium constructed for the 1924 Summer Olympics. In 1942, French police brought 13,000 Jews to the stadium, where they were held until they could be rounded up by Nazi police. Many of those at the Vel d’Hiv were taken to Auschwitz. “I don’t think that France is responsible for the Vel d’Hiv,” Le Pen said on Sunday. “I think that in general, more generally, if there were those responsible, it was those who were in power at the time. This is not France.” She went on to say that children are taught to criticize France, and she wants the French to be “proud” again.

Sergio Garcia won the 2017 Masters Tournament on Sunday, beating Justin Rose in a sudden-death playoff, CNN reported. As a result of his win, he received the iconic green jacket, as well as $1.98 million – the largest purse in Masters history. "It's been such a long time coming," Garcia said after his victory. "I'm so happy." Despite losing in the playoff, Justin Rose said he was “glad” Garcia won. "I'm really happy for Sergio, obviously I'd love to be wearing the green jacket but if it wasn't me I'm glad it's him," said Rose.

Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi has officially declared a three-month state of emergency since the attack on Coptic churches on Palm Sunday, according to a report with the New York Times. The attacks, led by ISIS militants, took the lives of 44 people. After the incidents, troops were deployed across the country to protect churches. The first attack took place in the town of Tanta, which is 50 miles north of Cairo. A suicide bombing killed at least 27 people and injured more than 70 others. The second attack occurred in Alexandria. At least 17 people died and 48 others were wounded. Pope Francis is scheduled to visit Egypt at the end of April.

K.T. McFarland is reportedly being asked to serve as ambassador to Singapore, USA Today reported. As a result, she will forfeit her title as deputy national security adviser, and National Security Adviser H.R. McMaster will choose his own lieutenant. According to anonymous officials, McFarland’s move into the ambassador position is being described as “a promotion” because Singapore is a critical U.S. ally. McFarland was appointed to her position by Gen. Mike Flynn, who was dismissed in February.

Drake and The Chain smokers lead with 22 nominations each for the upcoming 2017 Billboard Music Awards, which will air on May 21, according to the Hollywood Reporter. Drake is notably nominated for top artist, top male artist, and top Billboard 200 artist. The Chainsmokers will also go head-to-head against Drake in the top artist category. Twenty One Pilots received 17 nods, followed by Rihanna, who had 14 nominations. The nominees are selected based on their "key fan interactions with music, including album and digital songs sales, radio airplay, streaming, touring and social engagement.”

A Red Cross surgical team is flying to Wau, Sudan, to help people who were wounded in recent attacks, Reuters reported. On Monday, at least 10 people died when ethnic militias stormed homes in search of army soldiers. They were accusing the soldiers of blocking the main road to an encampment protected by the UN. "This morning the government forces were retaliating against innocent Fertit people," said South Sudan deputy army spokesman Santo Domic Chol. Many people immediately went into hiding in their homes and witnessed the slaughter of neighbors, friends and family.

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The U.S. fired 59 Tomahawk missiles from the Mediterranean Sea at the Al Shayrat airfield in Syria on Thursday night. Six people perished in the attack, according to the Syrian army. The Shayrat airfield is supposedly where the chemicals used in this week’s attack in Idlib were created. Russia was notified of the looming missile launches, which gave its personnel stationed in Syria an opportunity to evacuate. However, President Vladimir Putin was not personally notified beforehand. “President Putin considers the American strikes against Syria an aggression against a sovereign government in violations of the norms of international law, and under a far-fetched pretext,” said Russian spokesperson Dmitry Peskov on Friday. “This step by Washington is causing significant damage to Russian-American relations, which are already in a deplorable state.” Russia claimed that the U.S. violated international law with its strike and asked for an emergency UN meeting on Friday, according to the New York Times.

The Senate has approved Neil Gorsuch to the Supreme Court. Gorsuch is filling the spot left vacant by the late judge Antonin Scalia, Reuters reports. Earlier this week, the GOP exercised the “nuclear option” after Democrats made it clear that they would filibuster the vote. Under the nuclear option, Republicans only needed 51 votes to confirm Gorsuch. "For the life of me, I don't understand why the Democrats made such a fuss about this (nominee)," said Sen. Orrin Hatch. "They look stupid. The next one, I mean I expect Armageddon."

In an effort to reduce the development of antibiotic-resistant bacteria, KFC will stop buying poultry that is fed certain antibiotics, according to Reuters. The franchise’s owner, Yum Brands Inc., will give poultry suppliers until 2018 to stop feeding their chicken antibiotics also used to treat humans. "We recognize that it's a growing public health concern," said KFC U.S. President Kevin Hochman. "This is something that's important to many of our customers and it's something we need to do to show relevance and modernity within our brand.” The new stance will only affect KFC locations in the U.S.

Trade and investment cooperation were hallmarks of the first meeting between The Chinese President and President Trump on Thursday, as per The New York Times. A statement on China’s Foreign Ministry website said that The Chinese President believed in the promotion of a bilateral investment agreement. "We have a thousand reasons to get China-U.S. relations right, and not one reason to spoil the China-U.S. relationship," he told Trump. The two leaders will conclude their two-day summit today over a working lunch.

An Air Force general says that the military would consider placing satellites in orbit via used SpaceX rockets, Reuters reports. Using previously flown rockets could help the Pentagon save money. “I would be comfortable if we were to fly on a reused booster,” said General John "Jay" Raymond. “They’ve proven they can do it ... It’s going to get us to lower cost.” Earlier this month, SpaceX successfully reused one of its rockets for the first time to deliver a satellite into orbit.

Billie Lourd has signed on to star in the seventh season of “American Horror Story,” which may pull from the 2016 presidential election, according to The Hollywood Reporter. "All of the stuff that I’m developing now is going to be about illuminating and highlighting people who don’t have a voice in our culture — people who are ignored by the current administration and who are afraid and feel terrorized that their lives are going to be taken away," creator Ryan Murphy previously said in an interview. Lourd (“Star Wars,” “Scream Queens”) will be joining Billy Eichner as a new member of the “American Horror Story” ensemble.

In an interview with CNN on Thursday, Hillary Clinton said she is still “deeply concerned” over Russia’s meddling in the 2016 presidential election. "A foreign power meddled with our election and did so in a way that we are learning more about every single day,” she said. Clinton went on to argue that the Russian hacking was “more effective theft even than Watergate,” and President Vladimir Putin was out to “sow distrust and confusion, as well as influence, our election.” The interview with the New York Times’ Nicholas Kristof was Clinton’s first public sit-down since the election.

The UN is currently holding a meeting at the request of Russia, which condemned the U.S. airstrike on Syria, Reuters reports."This is not the first time the United States has resorted to such a thoughtless step, which merely exacerbates existing problems and threatens global security,” Russia said, prior to the meeting. The country has also dismissed accusations that Syrian President Bashar al-Assad orchestrated this week’s toxic gas attack in Idlib, Syria.

YouTube has announced that ads will not appear on videos posted to channels with less than 10,000 total views, according to ARSTECHNICA. The company made the announcement in a blog post on Thursday. “This new threshold gives us enough information to determine the validity of a channel,” YouTube said.” It also allows us to confirm if a channel is following our community guidelines and advertiser policies.” In the coming weeks, the site says it will also add a review process for creators who want to join its YouTube Partner Program.

Twitter is now suing the Department of Homeland Security for requesting the identity of a “rogue” federal government employee, DHS had been attempting to find the person behind the “@ALT_uscis” account, and it told Twitter to hide its request for further information. "Twitter has resisted other government attempts for information about its users including a demand from New York prosecutors for information about an Occupy Wall Street protester in 2012," said NPR’s Laura Sydell. "Twitter lost that case." The individual behind @ALT_uscis has responded to the lawsuit, asking, “If they win here, where will they stop? Who will be next?” Twitter and the DHS have not commented on the matter.

A truck drove through a shopping area in Stockholm, Sweden, on Friday, killing at least three people, Reuters reported. Witnesses claim that they saw numerous body-like forms covered in blankets at the scene where emergency services were tending to the situation. Police have confirmed few details, and no arrests have been made. "Sweden has been attacked. Everything points to the fact that this is a terrorist attack," Prime Minister Stefan Lofven said.

The European Union has said that it understood the “intention” behind the U.S. military airstrikes on a Syrian base on Thursday, according to Reuters News. Specifically, it said that it was under the assumption that the country’s goal was to prevent more chemical attacks. "The US has informed the European Union that ... they launched a strike on Shayrat Airfield in Syria with the understandable intention to prevent and deter the spread and use of deadly chemical weapons," said EU diplomat Federica Mogherini. "The US also informed us that these strikes are limited and focused on preventing and deterring further use of chemical weapons atrocities. Those found responsible should be sanctioned within the framework of the United Nations."

Syrian President Bashar al-Assad said in an interview that his government is no longer open to making peace with rebels, according to Reuters. Instead, he is seeking “victory” in the Syrian war, which has been going on for more than six years. "If we do not win this war, it means that Syria will be deleted from the map,” he said, while speaking to the Vecernji List newspaper. “We have no choice in facing this war, and that’s why we are confident, we are persistent and we are determined.” When asked why peace is no longer on the table, Assad cited the rebels’ recent attacks on Damascus and Hama. "The opposition which exists is a jihadi opposition in the perverted sense of jihad,” Assad said. “That is why we cannot, practically, reach any actual result with this part of the opposition (in talks).”

A bomb has been found in an apartment in St. Petersburg, Russia, according to a BBC report. Police discovered it when they raided the apartment, and they have since disabled the device. Three men were led out of the building in handcuffs, according to a local news agency. "An explosive device found in the flat has been made safe. Several suspects have been arrested; they didn't resist and there's now no threat to local people," Konstantin Serov, the head of the local authorities, said in a statement. Some sources claimed that the investigators had been looking into people with possible links to Akbarzhon Jalilov, the suspected bomber in the metro attack earlier this week.

BBC also reported that a coloring book is being pulled from shelves after it was discovered that a picture of Adolf Hitler was included during production. It is still unclear as to why Hitler was a part of the Kleuren op Code coloring book, which featured historical figures, such as Abraham Lincoln and Nelson Mandela. "My suspicion is that the man who created the coloring book got a book of famous people out of the closet and selected a pair, which unfortunately included Adolf Hitler. Maybe he did not recognize him," a spokesperson for the Belgian publisher Trifora. Kruidvat, the Dutch drugstore retailer that had stocked the book, has since apologized for selling it

A new Reuters poll suggests that about 40 percent of Americans are “more cautious” about the content of their emails, following last year’s hacking of the DNC. The poll, which was taken between March 11 and March 20, found that many Americans made “personal changes” to how they interact online. Approximately 45 percent stated that they had changed their passwords online. Sixteen percent said they had placed tape over the cameras of their computers to prevent spying, and 21 percent turned off their browser’s tracking capabilities.

BBC reports that Pokemon Go may be responsible for a decline in suicides at a cliff in Japan. In the past, Tojinbo in Fukui has been a hot spot for suicides, with 14 people taking their own lives at the location in 2016. However, retired policeman Yukio Shige believes that Pokemon Go may be deterring people from doing so at Tojinbo, as many suicidal people prefer to commit the act in private areas. The app game has been leading players to the area to “catch” virtual monsters on their mobile devices.

According to a memo from Attorney General Jeff Sessions, a new task force will review how the Department of Justice enforces marijuana laws, as per a CBS story. The Task Force on Crime Reduction and Public Safety will “review existing policies in the areas of charging, sentencing, and marijuana to ensure consistency with the department’s overall strategy on reducing violent crime and with administration goals and priorities,” the memo states. Back in February, Sessions had said he was trying to find more “responsible policies” for enforcing marijuana regulations.

New York Times says that David Nunes has announced that he will step down from his role in the investigation into Russia’s alleged election hacking. He cited accusations filed by “left-wing activist groups” with the Office of Congressional Ethics as his reason for stepping aside. However, Nunes emphasized that the allegations are “entirely false and politically motivated.” Representatives Michael Conaway, Trey Gowdy and Tom Rooney will take over for Nunes. “I will continue to fulfill all my other responsibilities as committee chairman, and I am requesting to speak to the Ethics Committee at the earliest possible opportunity in order to expedite the dismissal of these false claims,” Nunes said.

Through April 14, scientists will be using radio telescopes to analyze a black hole in the middle of the Milky Way, according to SPACE. Known as Sagittarius A, the black hole is four million times larger than the sun. The astronomers hope to locate its “event horizon,” which is where nothing – not even light – can escape. "These are the observations that will help us to sort through all the wild theories about black holes — and there are many wild theories," said Gopal Narayanan, an astronomy research professor at the University of Massachusetts Amherst. "With data from this project, we will understand things about black holes that we have never understood before."

Three Palestinians were hanged after being convicted of treason, among other crimes, according to Hamas officials, as per a BBC report. This comes after Hamas led an investigation into the killing of Mazen Fuqaha, a senior militant. Israel and local collaborators have been blamed for his death. The three men had been arrested months ago, and they were aged 32, 42, and 55. Human Rights Watch has called the hangings “abhorrent” and condemned Hamas for its actions. "Hamas authorities will never achieve true security or stability through firing squads or by the gallows, but rather through respect for international norms and the rule of law," said Sarah Leah Whitson, the group's Middle East director.

Chinese President Xi Jinping will be meeting with President Trump today for the first time since the U.S. president took office in January. The two-day summit will take place at Trump’s “Winter White House” in Palm Beach, Florida. Trade is expected to be a large part of their discussions, as well as jobs, according to Reuters News. "President Trump needs to come away from the meeting with concrete deliverables that will restore production and employment here in the U.S. in those sectors that have been ravaged by China's predatory and protectionist practices," said Holly Hart, legislative director for the United Steelworkers union. Trump has said that he expects his meeting with the Chinese leader to be “a very difficult one.”

Thousands of people have been evacuated from New Zealand’s North Island due to rising flood waters, according to Reuters. The tailwind of Cyclone Debbie has resulted in two days of heavy rainfall. Parts of Australia are still recovering from what the former category 4 storm left behind. "There's still a risk of loss of life," New Zealand Deputy Prime Minister Paula Bennett said, as rescue workers proceeded with evacuation orders. "Under no circumstances should people be looking at going back at the moment. The message must be really clear to people right now: Get out and stay out."

YouTube has officially launched its live television service in New York, Los Angeles, San Francisco, Chicago and Philadelphia, according to The Hollywood Reporter. Subscribers will be able to watch more than 50 channels for $35 a month, including national news networks ABC, NBC, CBS and FOX. AMC Networks, such as BBC America and IFC, have also signed on with YouTube, along with ESPN. Kelly Merryman, YouTube’s vice president of content partnerships, said that viewers seemed to want a “combination” of popular programs, rather than “linear” television. "This is such a new marketplace," she said. "Our goal from the beginning was to really listen to our users and understand from them what they loved about TV and what they want changed.”

Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte may visit an island in the South China Sea to raise the national flag, Reuters reports. The Philippines has nine islands and reefs in the South China Sea. China has claimed almost all of the area, and it continues to create man-made islands there. Duterte would visit Thitu, which is close to Subi Reef, one of the man-made islands that China has been accused of militarizing in the past. "In the coming Independence Day, I may go to Pagasa Island (Thitu) to raise the flag there," Duterte said. Doing so would “unlikely sit well” with China, which has claims in that portion of the sea. – REUTERS

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Reuters reported that North Korea test-fired a ballistic missile yesterday off its east coast. It reached an altitude of 117 miles and flew approximately 40 miles, according to South Korean authorities. "The launch took place possibly in consideration of the U.S.-China summit, while at the same time it was to check its missile capability," said a South Korean official. Following the incident, Secretary of State Rex Tillerson said, “The United States has spoken enough about North Korea. We have no further comment.”

Steve Bannon has been removed from the National Security Council. A White House official said that Bannon was “no longer needed” as chief strategist after the departure of Michael Flynn. Originally, Bannon had been given his position as a part of the NSC to “check on Flynn,” according to the official. Flynn resigned in February over his contact with Russia’s ambassador to the U.S., Sergei Kisylak, according to Reuters.

Business Insider reports that Panera Bread Co. is being purchased by JAB Holdings for $7.5 billion. JAB already owns businesses including Krispy Kreme Doughnuts, Peet’s Coffee and Tea and Caribou Coffee. Panera has approximately 2,000 cafes located throughout the U.S. Its net income has declined every year since 2013. Earlier this week, there were rumors that Domino’s Pizza Inc. and Starbucks Corp. were interested in purchasing Panera. A Domino’s spokesperson had said the company has “a lot more opportunity for growth in pizza.”

Reuters reports that AT&T customers who have unlimited data plans with the company will be able to watch HBO programming for no additional cost beginning on April 6. AT&T is buying Time Warner, which owns HBO, for approximately $85.4 billion. HBO is known for series including “Game of Thrones,” “Westworld,” and “Veep.” Back in February, the cell phone service provider reduced the cost of its unlimited data plan by $10 to $90 per month.

Reuters also reported Russia's claims Syrian President Bashar al-Assad and his government are not to blame for the chemical attack in Idlib yesterday. The death toll has risen to 70 since warplanes used toxic gas on civilians, and more than 100 people are still hospitalized. Igor Konashenkov, the spokesman for Russia’s Ministry of Defence, noted that the chemical weapons were made in a rebel-held area of Syria. “The territory of this storage facility housed workshops to produce projectiles filled with toxic agents,” he said. The UN Security Council will meet today to address the attack.

NASA’s Cassini probe will soon enter a previously unexplored region of Saturn before it plunges into the planet. The goal is to learn more about the area between Saturn and its rings, according to scientists. Cassini has been giving researchers information on Saturn since it arrived back in 2004. "Cassini's grand finale (into Saturn) is so much more than a final plunge," said Linda Spilker, Cassini project scientist at NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory. "It's a thrilling final chapter for our intrepid spacecraft, and so scientifically rich that it was the clear and obvious choice for how to end the mission, Reuters reports.

Sen. Jeff Merkley began speaking on the Senate floor on Tuesday night and continued through Wednesday, ahead of Thursday’s confirmation vote for Supreme Court nominee Neil Gorsuch, the Washington Post reported. There is procedurally nothing that Merkley or his colleagues can do to stop the vote on Thursday. However, he can continue speaking until the vote, as the Senate has no limits on how long a senator can talk. “So what's the purpose of talking when you know you're not able to actually delay anything?” writes Amber Phillips for the Washington Post. “Well, Merkley's got us writing about him — and you reading about him — doesn't he?

NPR News says a new study suggests that almost 1,300 pregnant women in 44 states had evidence of a Zika virus infection in 2016. A total of 51 babies were born with birth defects, and 43 of them had microcephaly or brain abnormalities. "Although Zika may seem like last year's problem, or an issue confined to Brazil, there have been more than 1,600 cases in pregnant women reported here in the U.S.," said acting director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Dr. Anne Schuchat. Doctors are still not completely clear on the range of problems that can arise as a result of the Zika virus.

New evidence suggests that ISIS used Mosul Museum as a tax office, according to Reuters. ISIS seized the building about two years ago, but Iraqi troops have since recaptured the structure. In the basement, they found an envelope that read, “The Islamic State ... seeks to levy your duties which were forced by God on the rich people's money.” There was also a space for people to write their names and file numbers to identify their payments. In addition, several tax receipts were recovered in the building. Taxes have been a source of income for ISIS, in addition to oil, ransoms, and antiquities smuggling.

BBC reports that Nivea has pulled a new advertisement after receiving backlash for its alleged racist undertone. The ad for deodorant showed a woman with the slogan, “white is purity.” It was originally posted to the company’s Facebook page, directed at followers located in the Middle East. A spokesperson for Nivea owner Beiersdorf said, “There have been concerns risen about ethnic discrimination due to a post about NIVEA Deodorant Invisible for Black & White on our NIVEA Middle East Facebook page. We are deeply sorry to anyone who may take offense to this specific post.” The company went on to say that its brand is meant to represent “diversity, tolerance and equal opportunity.”

BBC also reports that the European Parliament has voted in favor of a resolution for Brexit negotiations to continue, 516 to 133. The lawmakers will not participate in Brexit talks, but they have a say in the final deal for Britain to leave the European Union. On Wednesday, they also warned Britain against beginning free trade negotiations with countries outside of the EU before Brexit is officially completed. “If you leave the house, you have to pay the bills,” said Gianni Pittella, Italian leader of the Socialists in the EU Parliament. “It’s simply doing your duty.”

Pepsi has responded to backlash for its new advertisement starring Kendall Jenner, in which the model interrupts a generic 'protest' to hand a police office a soda, according People.com. In the advertisement titled, “Live For Now Moments Anthem,” protestors cheer on Jenner for the move. “This is a global ad that reflects people from different walks of life coming together in a spirit of harmony, and we think that’s an important message to convey,” Pepsi said in a statement. Many people called the advertisement “tasteless” and mocked Pepsi’s concept.