Relativity Space launched the world's first 3D-printed rocket, Terran 1, from the Cape Canaveral Space Force Station in Florida on Wednesday night. The mission was a success until a malfunction in the second stage prevented the rocket from reaching orbit. Despite the setback, the company is determined to investigate the issue and move forward with their plans for the future.
News Mash
Former President Donald Trump is facing increasing legal peril as investigations in New York, Washington, and Atlanta continue to pursue a possible indictment. On Wednesday, House Republicans demanded testimony and documents from two former Manhattan prosecutors, and the Manhattan grand jury is set to sit on Thursday. Rep. Jim Jordan has sent letters to Pomerantz and Dunne as part of a larger GOP-led congressional investigation into the probe into Trump's alleged hush money scheme. There is no public information as to when or whether an indictment could be filed, leaving the former president and the public in suspense.
Four Democratic senators are calling on Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen to take action against trusts and financial vehicles used by the wealthiest individuals to avoid taxes. This comes as Congress is making no progress on how to avert a debt ceiling crisis and the recent collapses of some banks are deepening the stalemate. The senators’ letter is a step towards ensuring that the wealthiest individuals pay their fair share, but it remains to be seen whether the Treasury Secretary will take action on the proposed regulations.
TikTok CEO Shou Zi Chew is set to face a grilling from US lawmakers this Thursday in his first sworn testimony before Congress, with the hearing focusing on data privacy and security. In preparation, Chew has been taking part in near-daily, multi-hour prep sessions with TikTok personnel and the app has organized a gathering of creators in D.C. to show their support. The hearing is expected to be a high-stakes event, with Chew’s performance likely to have a major impact on the future of the app in the US.
On March 15, 97-year-old actor Dick Van Dyke was involved in a car accident in Malibu, California. The Los Angeles County Fire Department treated him on the scene for minor injuries, and the sheriff's department determined that drugs and alcohol were not factors in the crash, but that the wet roads may have been a factor. The sheriff's department has requested that Van Dyke retake a driving test.
Florida Governor Ron DeSantis has changed his stance on the war in Ukraine, calling Russian President Vladimir Putin a "war criminal" and arguing that US support of Ukraine is of "vital" national interest. He has also noted that the US should remain engaged in the conflict and continue to provide support to Ukraine, including military aid. His comments come as the US and other countries have increased their involvement in the conflict, with the US imposing sanctions on Russia and the European Union taking steps to support Ukraine.
Tamia Potter made history as the first African American female to be accepted into Vanderbilt University Medical Center's neurosurgery residency program on National Match Day. Potter shared her emotional reaction to the news on social media, and began her medical career as a certified nursing assistant at 17 years old in 2014. Her acceptance marks a milestone for the university and the medical field, and is a testament to her hard work and dedication to her studies.
The Michigan Republican Party has come under fire for a post on social media which used a photograph of wedding rings taken from Holocaust victims with text over it that reads, "Before they collected all these wedding rings...they collected all the guns." The post has been met with criticism from both Republicans and Democrats, and the Anti-Defamation League (ADL) has called for its removal and an apology. The post has since been deleted, sparking a debate over the use of Holocaust imagery in political discourse.