A domestic king pigeon, nicknamed Flamingo, was found in Madison Square Park last week and taken in by the Wild Bird Fund. It was likely dyed pink with hair dye and released into the wild, making it more vulnerable to predators and unable to find food. Despite the Fund's efforts, the bird died on Tuesday, likely due to inhaling toxins from the dye. This incident has sparked a renewed call for people to not release domestic birds into the wild.
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House Speaker Kevin McCarthy has appointed Rep. Matt Gaetz (R-FL) to the select committee investigating the weaponization of the federal government, chaired by Rep. Barry Loudermilk (R-GA) and ranking member Rep. Jim Jordan (R-OH). The committee will examine the use of federal agencies to target political opponents, the use of federal funds for political purposes, and the use of executive orders to bypass Congress.
A new study has revealed that banks with the highest reliance on hidden fees are primarily located in low-income areas of the US, costing consumers at least $29 billion each year. In response, President Biden and the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau have taken steps to limit credit card late fees, and the President has vowed to ban “junk fees” in his State of the Union address. The study highlights the need for greater regulation of these fees to ensure they are not disproportionately impacting low-income communities.
An international team of investigators have released a statement claiming that there are "strong indications" that Russian President Vladimir Putin approved the supply of heavy anti-aircraft weapons to Ukrainian separatists who shot down Malaysia Airlines flight MH17 in 2014. The Joint Investigation Team noted that although there are strong indications that Putin was involved in the decision, the "high bar of full and conclusive evidence is not met." The team is composed of representatives from the Netherlands, Australia, Belgium, Malaysia, and Ukraine and is expected to release its final report in the coming months.
Pennsylvania Democrats won a decisive victory in three special elections for the state House of Representatives on Tuesday, giving them control of the chamber for the first time in 12 years. This majority gives them the power to block GOP-led initiatives, including a potential anti-abortion ballot measure. The special elections were the culmination of several months of electoral drama, with Democrats winning in all three districts, and could have implications for the upcoming 2020 presidential election.
North Korean leader Kim Jong Un and his daughter recently visited troops to mark the 75th founding anniversary of the country’s army, where Kim praised the military's "invincible spirit" and "unprecedentedly powerful combat capabilities". This was followed by a massive military parade in Pyongyang, where Kim is expected to showcase the latest hardware of his fast-growing nuclear weapons program, causing concern among North Korea's neighbors and the United States.
A 21-year-old man suspected of involvement in a mass shooting in Florida was fatally shot by a police officer following a chase and carjacking. The shooting occurred near Lakeland, where 11 people were injured in a drive-by shooting in January. An investigation into the shooting is ongoing.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has traveled to the U.K. in a bid for more advanced weapons to help in Kyiv's fight against the Russian forces. Upon his arrival, he was invited to sit in an armchair used by Winston Churchill, remarking that he felt the "feeling of how bravery takes you through the most unimaginable hardships to finally reward you with victory". He is now holding talks with Prime Minister Rishi Sunak at Downing Street, with the outcome of the talks yet to be seen.