The Supreme Court is set to consider a case on Wednesday that could have far-reaching implications for social media companies, involving the family of a Jordanian citizen killed in a 2017 terrorist attack in Istanbul. The case will decide whether social media companies can be held liable for aiding and abetting a specific act of international terrorism. The outcome of the case could have major implications for how social media companies moderate user content and could open the door to more lawsuits against tech companies for their role in the spread of extremist content.
News Mash
President Joe Biden made a surprise 23-hour visit to Ukraine, the first time in modern history a U.S. leader has visited a warzone outside the aegis of the U.S. military. During the trip, Biden recommitted to backing Ukraine in its second year of conflict and directly blamed his counterpart in the Kremlin for the war. He met with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, visited a military base, and held a press conference in Kyiv, demonstrating the U.S.'s commitment to Ukraine and Biden's view of America's role in the world.
Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi recently visited Moscow, where he met with Russian President Vladimir Putin. Putin expressed enthusiasm for a potential visit from Chinese President Xi Jinping, and the two discussed deepening their strategic partnership. The visit comes at a time of increased diplomatic activity in Europe, and is part of the growing relationship between Russia and China, which has included joint projects such as the construction of a high-speed railway.
After 50 years, the Burlington Police Department has identified William DeRoos as the suspect in the 1971 murder of Rita Curran, a 24-year-old Vermont teacher. Advances in DNA technology and genetic genealogy allowed authorities to identify DeRoos, who had a fight with his spouse on the night of the killing and later became a Buddhist monk. Acting Chief of the Burlington Police Department, Jon Murad, said that the random violence of Curran’s murder left a stain on the community and devastated her family. The Burlington Police Department is continuing to investigate the case and is asking anyone with information to contact them.
Alex Murdaugh is on trial for the double murder of his wife and one of his sons. The defense's first witness, his surviving son Buster Murdaugh, testified that his father was "destroyed" and "just broken down" after learning of the shootings. He described his family as "close-knit" and said that disagreements were solved with civility. The defense is attempting to counter the prosecution's case and is expected to call more witnesses in the coming days.
On April 4, Wisconsin will hold a general election for the state Supreme Court that could have a major impact on the state’s future. The election will be between two candidates, Janet Protasiewicz and Dan Kelly, who have vastly different ideologies and connections. Protasiewicz is a liberal candidate endorsed by a Democratic abortion rights group, while Kelly is a conservative with connections to the former president’s allies. If Protasiewicz wins, it could have a major impact on the state’s future, as the court’s decisions have a major influence on state laws. The outcome of this election will be closely watched by both sides.
Vladimir Putin has announced Russia's suspension of the New START nuclear arms agreement, and has mobilized hundreds of thousands of troops in response to U.S. and British forces training Ukrainian forces in advanced weaponry. This has caused nuclear tensions between the two countries, and the U.S. and other countries have called for a peaceful resolution to the conflict.
Michael Regan, head of the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), is leading federal efforts to address the aftermath of a train derailment in East Palestine, Ohio, which released plumes of black smoke and contaminated the soil and waterways. Regan has been meeting with residents and state officials, and the EPA has ordered Norfolk Southern to pay for all necessary cleanup. The EPA is also working with the Ohio EPA to ensure the environment is safe and the affected communities are taken care of.