President Joe Biden addressed the recent discovery of a Chinese spy balloon that traversed the continental US, emphasizing his commitment to competing with China without looking for conflict. He also addressed an investigation into his handling of classified documents, stating that his staff didn't do a good enough job packing up his previous offices and that the items found were from 1974. Biden's response marks the second time this week that he's sought to downplay the effect of the balloon, while reassuring the public that he is taking the investigation seriously.
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On Wednesday, a NewsNation correspondent was arrested while reporting live from an Ohio Emergency Management Agency press conference. The arrest was captured on camera and quickly spread across social media, prompting Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine (R) to express concern about the incident. NewsNation said the correspondent was arrested after he was told to stop speaking during the governor's remarks and the incident is currently under investigation.
Senator John Fetterman (D-Pa.) was admitted to a Washington, DC hospital Wednesday night after feeling lightheaded at the Senate Democratic retreat. Initial tests did not show any signs of a new stroke, but Fetterman, who had a near-fatal stroke last year, is remaining in the hospital overnight for observation and further tests. Joe Calvello, Fetterman's communications director, said in a statement that initial tests do not show any signs of a new stroke and that he is in good spirits.
On Wednesday evening, residents of East Palestine, Ohio were allowed to return home after a 50-car train derailed near the Ohio-Pennsylvania border and released toxic chemicals into the air. The evacuation order was issued as a precautionary measure, and testing showed the air had returned to normal levels. No injuries were reported, and Norfolk Southern is working with the EPA to clean up the site.
President Joe Biden will visit Florida on Thursday, a former swing state home to two potential Republican challengers in the 2024 election. Biden's visit follows his State of the Union address, in which he proposed to protect Social Security and Medicare, and will draw a contrast with Sen. Rick Scott's proposal to sunset all federal legislation every five years. It will also be watched to see how President Trump's hostility towards Gov. Ron DeSantis plays out in the Republican base.
At least 16,000 people have been killed and many more injured after a 7.8 magnitude earthquake and a series of aftershocks struck Turkey and Syria on Tuesday. Rescue teams have been working to pull survivors from the rubble, and have found some miraculous stories of survival. US Ambassador to the UN Linda Thomas-Greenfield has expressed sadness at the loss of life and the humanitarian toll of the earthquakes, and humanitarian agencies are appealing for donations to help those affected.
The Phoenix Suns have acquired 13-time All-Star Kevin Durant from the Brooklyn Nets in a blockbuster trade. Durant is still playing at an elite level, averaging nearly 30 points per game this season. The Suns are adding Durant to a starting lineup that already includes an All-Star backcourt of Chris Paul and Devin Booker, along with center Deandre Ayton, in a move that could drastically improve their playoff chances this season.
Rescue efforts in Turkey and Syria are ongoing after a devastating earthquake and series of aftershocks, with the death toll currently standing at over 15,000. Search and rescue personnel are working around the clock to locate survivors, but the window for rescuing those trapped is quickly closing due to lack of access to food, water, and medical care. The Turkish government has requested assistance from other countries, and the international community has responded with offers of aid and support.