Monday, March 30th
Probably not a great sign that everything is an algorithmically-boosted, bot-filled campaign now, at the same time that newsrooms are shuttered and/or captured by billionaires - Emma Vigeland
Headlines
The American war on Iran, now in its fifth week, sees signs of acceleration. The Iranian-backed rebel Houthis will, no doubt, make a sizable impact on the conflict. Whether they plan to close the Red Sea to shipping (which would be a major blow to Israel and Europe) or bomb Israel directly has yet to be seen. (Guardian, Al Jazeera)This as Trump continues to make conflicting comments, saying both that Iran’s leaders are “very reasonable” and insisting that talks will occur in Pakistan (Reuters), while also saying that he intends to seize Iran’s oil and Leavitt fails to deny he is weighing a “special operation” to recover Iran’s uranium. That uranium, despite not being enriched to the quality needed to make a weapon, may be the cover the military needs to stage a ground invasion. (WSJ, Guardian)
Over the weekend and into Monday, strikes raged across the region. The U.S.-Israel backed strikes targeted a university in Tehran. More than 600 schools and academic institutions have been impacted since the start of the war, along with hospitals and buildings belonging to the Red Crescent. This trend was intensified over the weekend. (Al Jazeera)Kuwait and the U.A.E. have each reported dozens of missile and drone strikes over the weekend, including critical hits on a power plant and desalination plant in Kuwait. Iranian missiles hit a U.S. base in Baghdad, destroying a plane. Israel said it intercepted five missiles overnight. Hezbollah also said it carried out a drone attack in Israel, on the Shoumira barracks in the Western Galilee. (Al Jazeera)
In Lebanon, an Indonesian UN peacekeeper was killed in an explosion that injured three others. Just this month, the World Health Organization reports 50 medical professionals have been killed as a result of Israel’s aggression. (UN)
More than four years since Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine, the “danger is only increasing” top UN officials have warned. The casualty rate in Ukraine has doubled its pace since last year. Large numbers of civilian deaths are being reported, with about half of those killed being elderly people living in frontline towns and villages. (UN)
Quick Hits
- The price of oil has nearly doubled in the past month, opening the week at $115 per barrel compared to $58 in February. (Trading Economics)
- Volkswagen will begin producing missile parts for the Iron Dome. It has not produced missiles since it was founded by Hitler in WWII, then a major producer in the axis war effort. (Haaretz)
- I.C.E. chief Homan says agents may not leave airports even once T.S.A. employees return to their posts. (NPR)
- The Supreme Court will hear an appeal from a defendant, Terry Pitchford, whose conviction was overturned last year on the basis that the prosecuting attorney was prejudicial and relentlessly pursued the removal of Black jurors. That ruling was then overturned again by the 5th Circuit Court of Appeals. S.C.O.T.U.S. has weighed in on several defendant cases in recent years, trending more conservative. (Politico)
- France, Germany, Italy and the United Kingdom have publicly called on Israel to abandon its plans to legalize the death penalty in a move those countries say will be applied to Palestinians. (Council of Europe, Al Jazeera)
- Israeli police prevented Catholic leaders from entering the Church of the Holy Sepulchre to celebrate a private mass on the Christian holiday of Palm Sunday. Israel cited safety concerns, though the mass was closed. (Politico)
R.I. Stories
Thousands attend the “No King’s Rally” in Providence on Saturday, with speeches given by local leaders. (Steve Ahlquist)
R.I. will receive zero dollars in federal assistance to support the World Cup operations, while Massachusetts will receive $76 million. (GoLocal)
A Providence College student and basketball player has been arrested on charges of domestic violence. (WPRI)
Newport Creamery was sold to a regional developer. Mark Bogosian, the new owner, plans to update and possibly expand the company.
R.I. Legislature
In an unusually specific bill, S.2113 mandates all restaurants serving kids’ meals must have at least two offerings that comply with certain nutritional standards. A companion bill in the House, H.7345 additionally requires 25% of the total menu to be diversified kids’ meals.
S.2942, the Super Speeder Accountability Act, imposes penalties and procedures for frequent or high-speed speeders.
A pair of bills, S.2311-2312 intend to benefit claimants in disputes with insurers.
R.I. may outlaw riding a motorcycle without a helmet.
S.3155 exempts non-profit Mount St. Rita Health Centre of property taxes.
S.2640 would establish a tax deduction to contribute to a “CatastropheSavings Account” similar to an H.S.A.
S.2646 forcibly decouples insurance investments from industries related to the drivers of risks (e.g., flood insurance and fossil fuel investments).
S.2766 requires the registration and requested deletion of personal data.
H.7137 bars lobbyists from making political contributions during session.
H.7985 requires anyone requesting public records to furnish identification.
H.7445 allows religious institutions to develop housing.
H.7491 allows Providence to issue a $25m housing bond.
H.7538 requires healthcare providers and healthcare facilities to inform patients of the use of artificial intelligence to memorialize patient visits.
H.7996 requires employers to protect workers from extreme heat and cold by implementing safety plans.
The House’s committee on the environment and natural resources is discussing PFASs in detail, following up on the House’s 2024 action banning the harmful substances.
R.I. Elections
Foulkes continues to lead McKee in the gubernatorial primary, but a majority of the electorate remains undecided. Steve Ahlquist may run for Providence City Council in Ward 3. (WPRI)
Robert Craven Jr. hopes to succeed his father in representing North Kingstown District 32. Craven Jr. is an attorney and the policy director in the R.I. Treasurer’s Office. (Steve Ahlquist)
Editorial and Expert Opinion
It seems clear that Rahm Emanuel is running for president. That nauseating news comes with a welcome reception: “electorally I don’t think he’ll be a threat, but he has an ability to shape the race in other ways,” says one Democratic adviser to another potential 2028 contender, granted anonymity to candidly assess an Emanuel candidacy. “He’s good at getting reporters to cover him and he is shameless…”More on Emmanuel’s attempt to be big-money’s “combative centrist” in 2028 in Politico.
Sports
Celtics have clinched a playoff spot, still #2 in the East, with a win over the Charlotte Hornets on Sunday night, 114-99. Tatum was the top scorer for the Celtics with 32 points, Pritchard had 28. Brown did not play due to achilles tendonitis. Next game tonight at 7:30 in Atlanta against the Hawks.
Bruins are on a three-game win streak after beating the Columbus Blue Jackets 4-3 in OT. Columbus is in the second wildcard spot, now four games behind the Bruins who are in a much more secure position than just a week ago. Down 3-0 to start the game, Pavel Zacha tied the game with 11 seconds left in regulation and Arvidsson scored the winning goal in the third round shootout to win it. Zacha had two on the game. Next game is tomorrow at 7:00 at home against a strong Dallas Stars team.
Red Sox fell to 1-2 on the season, losing to the Reds 3-2 on Sunday to end the series. Abreu has started the season strong, going three for four on Sunday. Tonight begins a three-game stay in Austin, with the first pitch at 8:10.
UConn, Illinois, Arizona, and Michigan are in the Final Four for the NCAA March Madness basketball tournament. This is the first time since 2014 the Final Four teams have all been public universities.
