Tyre Nichols case shows officers still fail to intervene
As Memphis police officers attacked Tyre Nichols with their feet, fists and a baton, others held Nichols down or milled about, even as he cried out in pain before his body went limp. Just like the attack on George Floyd, a simple intervention could have saved a life. Instead, Nichols is dead and five Memphis officers face murder charges. Memphis and Minneapolis police departments are among many with “duty to intervene” policies. It’s also the law. Three Minneapolis officers who didn’t try to stop the attack on Floyd were convicted of federal crimes. Experts agree peer pressure, and in some cases fear of retribution, is on the minds of officers who fail to stop colleagues from doing bad things.
After tank pledges, Ukraine seeks Western fighter jets
KYIV, Ukraine (AP) — Ukraine is pushing its Western allies to provide it with fighter jets. The move comes a week after winning pledges of sophisticated modern tanks to help Ukraine beat back Russia’s invasion force after almost a year of fighting. Ukraine’s defense minister was due in Paris on Tuesday where discussions about the possible delivery of fighter jets to Ukraine was expected to be on the agenda. After months of haggling, Ukrainian authorities last week persuaded Western allies to send the tanks. There was no indication that a decision on warplanes to Ukraine might come any time soon and no sign that Western countries have changed their earlier stance on the issue.
President Biden to end COVID-19 emergencies on May 11
WASHINGTON (AP) — President Joe Biden has informed Congress that he will end the twin national emergencies for addressing COVID-19 on May 11, as most of the world has returned closer to normalcy nearly three years after they were first declared. The move to end the national emergency and public health emergency declarations will formally restructure the federal coronavirus response to treat the virus as an endemic threat to public health that can be managed through agencies’ normal authorities. It comes as lawmakers have already ended elements of the emergencies that kept millions of Americans insured during the pandemic.
Blinken in Mideast renews appeal for Israel-Palestinian calm
JERUSALEM (AP) — U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken is wrapping up a two-day visit to Israel and the occupied West Bank with renewed appeals for Israeli-Palestinian calm amid an alarming spike of violence. Blinken was meeting Palestinian leader Mahmoud Abbas in the West Bank town of Ramallah on Tuesday, a day after seeing Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. After his meeting with the Israeli leader, Blinken stressed the importance the U.S. places on resolving the long-running conflict with a two-state solution. However, beyond urging a de-escalation of tensions Blinken offered no new U.S. initiative to do so and there were no signs of progress on even the modest goal of halting the latest wave of violence.
China accuses Washington of wanting ‘technological hegemony’
BEIJING (AP) — China’s government has accused Washington of pursuing “technology hegemony” following news reports the United States might raise pressure on tech giant Huawei by blocking all access to American suppliers. The possible move was reported by Bloomberg News, The Financial Times and The Wall Street Journal. It would tighten restrictions imposed in 2019 that limit Huawei’s access to processor chips and other technology. The company, which makes network equipment and smartphones, was allowed to buy some less-advanced components. Huawei Technologies Ltd., China’s first global tech brand, is at the center of conflict between Washington and Beijing over technology and security. U.S. officials say Huawei is a security risk and might facilitate Chinese spying, an accusation the company denies.
Deadline nears for Alec Baldwin in deadly movie set shooting
SANTA FE, N.M. (AP) — Prosecutors are scheduled to file involuntary manslaughter charges in connection with the fatal shooting of a cinematographer by actor Alec Baldwin during a rehearsal on the set of a Western movie in 2021. Prosecutors say they will file in court and make public felony charges against Baldwin and weapons supervisor Hannah Gutierrez-Reed that could carry penalties of up to five years in prison. Prosecutors also said they will release a signed plea agreement with assistant director David Halls. Halls oversaw safety on the set. Baldwin has described the killing as a tragic accident and says he was told the gun was safe.
Boeing bids farewell to an icon, delivers last 747 jumbo jet
SEATTLE (AP) — Boeing bids farewell to an icon on Tuesday: It’s delivering its final 747 jumbo jet. Since it debuted in 1969, the 747 has served as a cargo plane, a commercial aircraft capable of carrying nearly 500 passengers, and the Air Force One presidential aircraft. It revolutionized international travel. But over about the past 15 years, Boeing and its European rival Airbus have introduced more profitable and fuel efficient wide-body planes, with two engines instead of the 747’s four. The final plane is the 1,574th built by Boeing in the Puget Sound region of Washington state. It’s being delivered to cargo carrier Atlas Air.
Brother vs brother: Kelces prepare for Super Bowl showdown
KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — Donna Kelce is going to have to pull out that now-familiar custom jersey — the one with Kansas City Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce’s front stitched to Philadelphia Eagles center Jason Kelce’s back — one more time this season. For the first time in Super Bowl history, a pair of siblings will square off on the NFL’s grandest stage. Kelce helped the Chiefs return to their third championship game in four seasons on Sunday night when they beat the Bengals for the AFC title, while Jason has the Eagles back for the second time in six years after their NFC title win over the 49ers.
US futures slide as corporate earnings pour in
Wall Street was down in premarket trading as a deluge of major corporate earnings poured in ahead of Wednesday’s Federal Reserve interest rate meeting. Futures for the Dow Jones industrials fell 0.4% before the bell Tuesday and futures for the S&P 500 were down 0.3%. Markets have been veering recently on worries that the economy and corporate profits may be set for a steep drop-off, along with competing hopes that cooling inflation will get the Federal Reserve to take it easier on interest rates. Exxon shares rose about 1% after the energy giant reported record annual profit but lower than expected fourth-quarter sales.
‘Laverne & Shirley’ actor Cindy Williams dies at 75
LOS ANGELES (AP) — Cindy Williams, who played Shirley opposite Penny Marshall’s Laverne on the popular sitcom “Laverne & Shirley,” has died. Williams’ family said in statement Monday that she died in Los Angeles Wednesday after a brief illness. She was 75. Williams credits included the films “American Graffiti” and “The Conversation.” But she was by far best known for playing the straitlaced Shirley Feeney on the ABC sitcom “Laverne & Shirley.” The show, a spinoff of “Happy Days” was one of the most popular shows on television in its prime. It ran from 1976 to 1983.
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