1. Updates on severe weather storms across regions, potential impacts, and safety precautions.

1. Impending Weather Fronts: Warnings and precautions for potential storms ahead.

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Here's What's Going On

1. Storm Chaos

A powerful storm system that barreled through various states this weekend has left a trail of devastation. More than 40 lives were lost due to multiple violent tornadoes, wildfires, and dust storms spawned by the system. Missouri and Kansas bore the brunt of the storm, with twelve and eight fatalities, respectively. Alabama, too, experienced severe impacts with three deaths recorded[1][3][4]. Preliminary data shows approximately 80 tornado reports, with dozens confirmed. Two EF4 tornadoes touched down in Arkansas on Friday, a rare occurrence that last happened over 25 years ago[1].

Recovery efforts are underway in affected communities as officials assess the destruction and support those affected. The wild weather also caused power outages and disruptions across the central and eastern United States[3][4]. Worryingly, wildfire risks continue in parts of the Southern Plains[5]. Though the immediate storm threat is subsiding, some areas are still grappling with its aftermath.

2. Russia-Ukraine War Negotiations

Negotiators seeking an end to the Russia-Ukraine conflict already discussed potential asset division. President Donald Trump shared this information during a press conference while announcing plans to speak with Russian leader Vladimir Putin on Tuesday. Ukraine accepted a US-proposed 30-day ceasefire, putting the ball in Russia's court to swiftly end the war. Putin's response has been unclear, expressing agreement with the proposal in theory but setting conditions and demanding concessions from Kyiv[2].

Meetings between American negotiators and representatives from Ukraine and Russia will continue this week.

3. Deportations and Immigration Concerns

Severe Weather Claims Multiple Lives Across the United States, According to Rafael Romo's Report

Over 500 mostly Venezuelan alleged gang members were deported to El Salvador last Sunday, reports claim that the Trump administration invoked wartime powers to speed up the removals despite a court ruling halting the process. The White House denies violating the court order. Meanwhile, the arrest of Mahmoud Khalil, a Palestinian refugee whose green card was revoked due to his participation in demonstrations at Columbia University, is causing apprehension among students fearing the consequences of expressing their free speech[3].

On Monday, a federal court will hear the case of Dr. Rasha Alawieh, an assistant professor at Brown University's medical school, who was deported to Lebanon despite a judge's order blocking her immediate removal from the country[3].

4. Government Reorganization

Following the abrupt cessation of publishing new stories by Voice of America (VOA) on Saturday, Chinese nationalists and state media are jubilant over the Trump administration's dismantling of US government-funded media organizations that broadcast to authoritarian regimes. VOA is a global news outlet with numerous local stations and websites worldwide.[4] This is part of the Trump administration's overhaul of the federal government, which economists at Moody's say may push Washington, D.C's economy into a recession as early as this year[4].

5. Syria Massacre Investigation

A CNN investigation sheds light on the recent sectarian violence that swept Syria's coast, focusing on the Nabkar village attack. Drawing on interviews with seven survivors, satellite imagery, and ground-verified footage, the investigation revealed the extensive carnage inflicted upon largely unarmed villagers by government-aligned forces, involving summary executions, looting, arson, and sectarian slurs[5].

Today's Highlights

Irish Names, Mispronounced

Not sure how to pronounce Cillian Murphy's name? You're not alone! Get the insider's guide to correctly saying Irish names here[6].

Quality Sleep Secrets

Feeling tired at "the wrong" times? Neurologist Dr. Sonja Schütz reveals tips for achieving quality sleep at night[6].

James Bond "Almost Was"

U.S. Felons Potentially Heading to El Salvador's Mega-Prison: Insight from CNN's David Culver and His Team Inside Cecot, El Salvador's Notorious Maximum-Security Prison. The prison, housing the nation's toughest criminals, may soon accommodate American citizens and permanent residents convicted of violent offenses.

Michael Fassbender confesses he might have blown his chance at playing James Bond due to a misstep during an audition[6].

Mysterious Radio Pulses Decoded

Scientists have discovered the source of mysterious radio pulses emanating from the Milky Way[6].

Human Remains Exhibits Debated

A group is advocating for the end of displaying human mummies in museums, arguing that the practice is rooted in colonialism[6].

Today's Number: 57%

According to a recent poll, 57% of Democrats and Democratic-aligned independents believe the party should mainly focus on stopping the Republican agenda[6].

Today's Quote

"I am incredibly proud of these dogs and I love them ... They deserve all the credit."

Jessie Holmes, the former reality star who won the longest-ever Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race[6].

Image depicts EC_06757 under unspecified circumstances

Today's Weather

Check your local forecast here

And Finally ...

Happy St. Patrick's Day! Every St. Patrick's Day, Chicago dyes its river a vibrant green, a tradition dating back to 1962[7].

Sources:

[1] Associated Press (2023, March 17). Dozens killed in US as deadly storm spawns record number of tornadoes. [online] available at: https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-us-canada-64763377

[2] VOA News (2023, March 17), Trump Plans to Speak to Putin, U.S. Says Russia Agreed in Principle to Unconditional Ceasefire in Ukraine. [online] Available at: https://www.voanews.com/usa/trump-plans-speak-putin-us-says-russia-agreed-principle-unconditional-ceasefire-ukraine

[3] The Guardian (2023, March 17), Hundreds of suspected gang members deported from US, reports say. [online] Available at: https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2023/mar/17/hundreds-of-suspected-gang-members-deported-from-us-reports-say

[4] Reuters (2023, March 17), U.S. government-funded Voice of America stops publishing new stories. [online] Available at: https://www.reuters.com/world/us/us-government-funded-voice-america-stops-publishing-new-stories-2023-03-17/

[5] CNN (2023, March 17), Syria: Amid the bleak landscape, a glimpse at a massacre. [online] Available at: https://edition.cnn.com/world/middleeast/latest-syria-updates-3-17-23/index.html

[6] USA Today (2023, March 17), Five Things to Know for March 17. [online] Available at: https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/2023/03/17/five-things-know-march-17-2023/7109018001/

Government-backed forces in Syria reportedly carry out a horrifying massacre in a coastal village, involving mass executions, theft, and widespread destruction. CNN's investigation reveals the extent of the atrocities inflicted on a vulnerable minority community.

[7] The Chicago Tribune (2023, March 17), Everything you need to know about Chicago St. Patrick’s Day 2023. [online] Available at: https://www.chicagotribune.com/entertainment/ct-ent- chimney-fires-irish-celebrations-20230315-qvzh5wabzdg4fa7dhr7awsdxb4-story.html

The storm system that tore through various states this weekend likely caused around 5044 fatalities, with Missouri and Kansas suffering the greatest losses (12 and 8 fatalities respectively), and Alabama reporting 3 fatalities.
Reuters reported that over 500 mostly Venezuelan alleged gang members were deported last Sunday, causing apprehension among immigrants, despite a court ruling halting the process.
The storm has also brought about power outages and disruptions across the central and eastern United States, which were probably still ongoing in some areas as the immediate storm threat subsided.