Alex Murdaugh, a disgraced former lawyer, is on trial for two counts of murder and two weapons charges in South Carolina. During cross-examination, prosecutors are focusing on the financial crimes the state alleges drove Murdaugh to murder. Murdaugh has pleaded not guilty and continues to deny any role in the killings. The trial is expected to continue into next week.
News Mash
On Thursday, the St. Louis Zoo experienced a brief lockdown after a 4-year-old Andean bear, Ben, escaped his outdoor habitat for the second time this month. Zoo Director Michael Macek described Ben as "curious" and said he had torn through stainless steel clips used to secure his enclosure. The zoo has since reopened and Ben is back in his habitat, and they are reminding guests to remain alert and aware of their surroundings while visiting.
On Wednesday afternoon, a gunman opened fire near Pine Hills, Florida, killing a 9-year-old and wounding her mother, as well as two journalists from Spectrum News 13. Dylan Lyons, a reporter, died from his injuries, while photographer Jesse Walden was wounded and is being treated in hospital. A memorial has been set up for Lyons and the investigation into the shooting is ongoing.
Seven people, including a 2-year-old girl and her mother, were wounded in a shooting outside the James G. Blaine School in Philadelphia's Strawberry Mansion neighborhood on Thursday evening. Six victims were taken to local hospitals for treatment, and police are currently searching for three male suspects and a grey Hyundai Elantra. Anyone with information is asked to contact the Philadelphia Police Department.
Vladimir Putin announced a "special military operation" in eastern Ukraine in February 2022, leading to many Ukrainians seeking refuge in the western Ternopil region. One of these refugees was Oleksandra Povoroznyk, a 28-year-old journalist and translator. Despite the danger, Oleksandra and her family have chosen to stay in Ukraine, and the international community must continue to support them in their fight against Russian aggression.
HBO's critically acclaimed drama "Succession" is coming to an end with its fourth season, according to creator and showrunner Jesse Armstrong. The show follows the Roy family, a powerful media dynasty, and their scheming and power struggles, and has earned several Emmy awards. Armstrong wanted to give viewers a heads up before the fourth season premiere, set for March 26, and said that it was not reasonable for the cast and crew to have to conceal the show's ending. Fans of the show will have to wait and see how the Roy family's story will end.
Key takeaways: US officials praised the resilience of the Ukrainian people and expressed confidence in their ultimate victory. The Biden administration is committed to helping…
Brad Paisley, a three-time Grammy winner, has released a new song called “Same Here” featuring Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy to commemorate the one-year anniversary of the start of the war in Ukraine. The song is the first from Paisley’s upcoming album “Son of the Mountains” and is intended to inspire people to take action and help those in need. The song features Zelenskyy speaking proudly about his country and people, and ends with a conversation between Zelenskyy and Paisley, recorded during a video call.