The US government has taken action against six Chinese entities in response to a suspected Chinese spy balloon that flew over US airspace last week. The US Commerce Department has blacklisted the five companies and one research institute from obtaining US technology without government authorization, and urged other countries to take similar measures. This is part of a broader effort to address Chinese surveillance activities, with more measures expected in the coming weeks and months.
News Mash
A relative of Emmett Till has filed a federal lawsuit against Leflore County Sheriff Ricky Banks to compel him to serve an arrest warrant from 1955 on Carolyn Bryant Donham for her role in Till's death. The warrant was issued shortly after Till's fateful encounter with Bryant and the lawsuit seeks to bring justice to the Till family and attention to the fact that the warrant was never served. The family hopes that the lawsuit will bring closure to the case and help ensure that similar tragedies never happen again.
Rep. Angie Craig (D-Minn.) was assaulted in an elevator near the Capitol on Thursday morning, prompting a response from House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and an increased focus on safety measures for members of Congress. The assailant, Christopher Hamlin, was arrested and charged with assault with intent to kill while armed, and Craig was able to escape the elevator after throwing a cup of hot coffee at him.
Confusion arose over the status of the traditional pre-Super Bowl interview with President Joe Biden on Friday, with the White House and Fox Corp. unable to come to an agreement. Fox later said the interview was back on, but the status of the interview remains unclear. The public spat between the White House and Fox Corp. has left many wondering if the interview will take place this year.
Actor and musician Cody Longo was found dead at his home in Austin, Texas on Wednesday at the age of 34. His representative confirmed the news and his wife released a statement expressing her devastation. Longo had taken some time away from acting to pursue his music career and spend more time with his family, and had struggled with alcoholism for years. His death has been met with an outpouring of grief from his friends, family, and fans, and he will be remembered for his talent, passion, and dedication to his craft.
Memphis Police Officer Preston Hemphill has admitted he did not witness the alleged reckless driving that was the justification for pulling over Tyre Nichols last month. Monterrious Harris has since filed a $5 million lawsuit against the officers and the City of Memphis, claiming he was attacked by the same officers three days prior. The incident has sparked outrage in the Memphis community, with many calling for justice for both Tyre Nichols and Monterrious Harris.
US President Joe Biden and Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva met at the White House to discuss the war in Ukraine. Lula proposed a coalition of countries not directly involved in the conflict to end the war and build peace. Biden will travel to Poland at the end of the month to meet with President Duda to discuss collective efforts to support Ukraine and bolster NATO's deterrence.
Sen. John Fetterman, D-Pa., was released from the hospital on Friday after two days of tests and observation. He had been admitted after feeling lightheaded following a lawmakers’ retreat, and underwent a CT, CTA, MRI, and EEG tests, all of which came back normal.