CNN—
NASA will make one of its biggest announcements ever this spring when it appoints the initial crew of four for its Artemis II mission, intended to return astronauts to the moon for the first time in 50 years. In addition to the nationalities of the astronauts, details about the potential crew — and the selection process — have been shrouded in secrecy. There are, however, several qualified candidates who are generating significant interest. Here’s what else you need to know Catch up on your day.
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Protesters took to streets across the United States over the weekend following the release of footage showing the Memphis police beating that led to the death of Tire Nichols, a 29-year-old black man. Protesters marched through New York City, Atlanta, Boston, Baltimore, Los Angeles, San Francisco and Portland, among other cities, holding up signs with his name and calling for police reform. As the investigation continues, questions are being raised as to whether there could be further charges for the five former officers involved. The officers — who are also black — have since been charged with murder and kidnapping following Nichols’ death. The police unit they were part of was also disbanded. Officials “need to clean the department of bad apples,” Democratic Rep. Steve Cohen told CNN. “They need to get intensive training and make sure de-escalation comes first.”
The Federal Reserve is expected to raise interest rates again on Wednesday. While it’s unclear whether this will be another half-point hike or just a quarter-point hike, analysts say the Fed may need to continue hiking rates until there is more evidence that the work is cooling enough to push the inflation rate even lower. However, several labor market indicators show that the US economy is not yet in serious danger of a recession. The number of people filing weekly jobless claims fell last week to 186,000, a nine-month low. Meanwhile, Speaker Joe Biden and House Speaker Kevin McCarthy are also due to meet on Wednesday as the Treasury Department continues to take steps to keep the government paying its bills after the US hits the debt ceiling set by Congress .
More than 25 million people in the United States are on a winter weather alert this morning that stretches from Texas to Illinois, bringing the risk of heavy precipitation and significant ice to the region. “The interaction between an Arctic airmass and moisture will set the stage for a large area of dangerous travel conditions earlier in the week,” the National Weather Service warned. The winter storm is also bringing dangerously cold air to some central US cities, with possible freezes as low as 45 degrees below zero. (Colder wind chills can cause frostbite in as little as 10 minutes.) Showers are also forecast for parts of the lower Mississippi, Tennessee, and Ohio valleys, as well as parts of the Northeast, Mid-Atlantic, and South- east today.
Check your local forecast here >>>
More than 7,500 migrants from Cuba, Nicaragua and Haiti were allowed to come to the United States under a program set up by the Biden administration earlier this month. Administration officials are touting the program as contributing to a decline in U.S.-Mexico border crossings. Democratic allies and immigrant advocates, however, share conflicting views. Many welcome a route for migrants but have criticized the expansion of Title 42. Twenty states also argued in a lawsuit that the administration did not go through the regulatory notice and comment process before instituting the rule. As a result, states are asking the courts to block the program.
The Philadelphia Eagles and the Kansas City Chiefs are headed to the Super Bowl after two dramatic games on Sunday. In Kansas City, Missouri, quarterback Patrick Mahomes led his team to victory in a back-and-forth game against the Cincinnati Bengals that ended in a slim 23-20 victory. Going into the day, the Philadelphia Eagles defeated the San Francisco 49ers 31-7 in Philadelphia, advancing to the championship game for the first time since the 2017-18 season. Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts also passed Cameron Newton for most rushing touchdowns in a single season by a QB in NFL history, according to NFL research. (Hurts’ total currently stands at 15, to Newton’s 14.) Super Bowl 2023 will take place at State Farm Stadium in Glendale, Arizona on February 12.
Trader Joe’s ranks its best products
View the grocery store’s currently most popular items, according to a survey of over 18,000 customers. (Spoiler alert: Mandarin Chicken was knocked out of #1 this year!)
Novak Djokovic wins the Australian Open
The tennis star beat Stefanos Tsitsipas in straight sets to win his 10th Australian Open title and a record 22 Grand Slams. Aryna Sabalenka, meanwhile, won a thrilling match in the women’s final of the tournament.
Go out with this anti-Valentine’s day activity
The San Antonio Zoo will let you name a cockroach after an ex and feed it to an animal, as part of its annual “Cry Me a Cockroach” fundraiser.
15-year-old wins US figure skating title
Teenage Isabeau Levito is expected to be a future Olympian. Check out his latest great achievement from him.
Purchased for $600, this rare painting sold for $3 million
The once-abandoned work of Flemish artist Anthony van Dyck has been found in a farm shed. Perhaps you also have valuables gathering dust in your garage?
Actress Annie Wersching she died Sunday, her publicist told CNN, after a battle with cancer. She was 45 years old. Wersching was known for playing FBI agent Renee Walker in the series ’24’. She has also had roles in ‘The Vampire Diaries’ and the Amazon Prime series ‘Bosch’ and voiced the character Tess in the video game ‘The Last of Us’.
226 million
That’s the number of domestic trips China saw during the Lunar New Year holiday, state media reported. This is a 74% increase on last year, after the government lifted all travel restrictions under its now-abandoned zero-Covid policy.
“When I hear that he might escape, I consider it very disloyal.”
– Former President Donald Trump, voicing disapproval of Republican Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis’ potential 2024 presidential candidacy. In his first major campaign swing against a possible opponent, Trump said on Saturday that DeSantis and his team are “trying to rewrite history” about their response to the Covid-19 pandemic. Earlier this month, DeSantis called on state lawmakers to make existing penalties permanent for companies that require employees to receive Covid-19 vaccinations.
How Cinnamon Croissant Cereals Are Made
It’s National Croissant Day
You’ve probably enjoyed a warm croissant for breakfast before…but have you tried croissant cereal? In honor of the unofficial, but totally worthy holiday, watch this minute-long video to see how mini croissants are made. (Click here to view.)
