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.
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Pennsylvania Senator John Fetterman was hospitalized Wednesday after feeling lightheaded, with initial tests not showing evidence of a new stroke. Doctors are running more tests and Fetterman is remaining overnight for observation, while his communications director said he is in good spirits. Fetterman is currently in the midst of a tight race for the Senate seat and his staff has asked for privacy for the senator and his family.
Damar Hamlin, safety for the Buffalo Bills, has been awarded the NFL Players Association's highest honor and Dr. Thom Mayer, the union's medical director, has expressed confidence that Hamlin will return to professional football soon after suffering an on-field cardiac arrest in January. The NFL Players Association has been a strong supporter of Hamlin's recovery process, providing him with access to top medical professionals.
Scientists at the European Space Agency have made a surprising discovery about a dwarf planet in the outer reaches of the solar system: Quaoar has a dense ring around it, farther away from it than previously believed. This discovery was made using data from ground-based telescopes and the space-based telescope Cheops, when the planet blocked light from a distant star. Scientists and astronomers are now working to better understand the ring and its origin, as it could provide new insights into the formation of our solar system.
The House Oversight Committee held a hearing on Wednesday to discuss political censorship on social media, during which Republican Congressman Byron Donalds displayed web addresses for nude photos of President Joe Biden's son, Hunter Biden. The photos had been removed from Twitter after the Biden campaign flagged them, and the incident has raised questions about the appropriateness of displaying such content in a congressional hearing. The hearing is part of a larger debate over links to nude photos of Hunter Biden, and its implications for the discussion about political censorship on social media.
Patrick Crusius, 24, pleaded guilty to 90 federal charges in connection with the 2019 mass shooting at a Walmart in El Paso, Texas, which resulted in the deaths of 22 people. As part of his plea agreement, Crusius agreed to a prison term of 90 consecutive life sentences. The attack has left a lasting impact on the El Paso community, and the guilty plea brings some closure to the victims and their families.
Celia Cruz, the Queen of Salsa, will be honored on a quarter in 2024 as part of the American Women Quarters Program. This program, launched in 2020, recognizes people of diverse backgrounds for their accomplishments, and Cruz will be the first Latina singer featured. The Mint has been issuing commemorative coins since 1792, and the American Women Quarters Program is the latest effort to honor the contributions of women throughout history.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky made a surprise visit to the UK to urge allies to send his country jets, presenting the speaker of the House of Commons with a Ukrainian air force helmet inscribed with the message, “We have freedom.” His plea for more heavy weaponry, including fighter jets, was a reminder of the importance of freedom and was well-received by the British lawmakers. His visit is sure to have a lasting impact on the relationship between the two countries.