2.14.2018

All your news in a single email. We scour 100+ sources so you don't have to. Culture, science, sports, politics, business, and more - all packaged in a 5-minute read below.
 

Israeli PM Faces Corruption Charges.
Israeli police recommended that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu be indicted on charges of graft and corruption, concluding a year-long investigation into two cases. In the first case, Netanyahu and his wife are accused of taking improper gifts from businessmen, including Hollywood producer Arnon Milchan. In the second, Netanyahu allegedly agreed to back a law that would weaken a competitor in exchange for favorable coverage from Yediot Aharonot, the country's largest paper. Netanyahu - who studied in the US at MIT - is viewed as a tenacious defender of Israeli interests and held the Prime Minister role from 1996-1999 and again since 2009. The findings must now be examined by the attorney general, who will ultimately decide whether to press charges - a process that could take months. 

Immigration Debate Picks Up Steam.
The Senate jumped into an open-ended immigration debate yesterday, following a Monday evening procedural vote that passed 97-1. With no guaranteed outcome, legislators hope to pull together a bipartisan package capable of getting 60 votes - enough to overcome a filibuster from either side (what is a filibuster?). A plan reflecting President Trump's priorities - any bill would ultimately need his signature - picked up the endorsement of Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY). The Secure and Succeed Act, introduced by seven Republicans, spends $25B to further secure the US-Mexico border while legalizing the status of nearly 1.8 million "Dreamers" - young undocumented immigrants who arrived with their parents (see 101). Because of the need to get 60 votes, a final bill may combine elements of another bipartisan proposal championed by Sens. Lindsey Graham (R-SC) and Dick Durbin (D-IL). 

A federal judge put a hold on the March 5th deadline to end protections for Dreamers while lawsuits challenging the decision are considered. 

A New Top Dog.
In what was called a stunning upset by onlookers, Flynn the bichon frise was awarded Best in Show at the Westminster Kennel Club. The crowd - wildly shouting for favorites like Slick the border collie, Biggie the pug, and Winston the Norfolk terrier (see runners up) - fell into silence as judge Betty-Anne Stenmark announced her decision. It was a day for the underdog - Flynn beat out Ty the giant schnauzer, who came into the contest ranked number one by Dog News Magazine, along with 2880 other competitors across 202 breeds. The winners get no prize money (but lucrative breeding fees - Flynn gets a shiny bowl, a visit to a steakhouse, and a walk-on role in the Broadway show Kinky Boots. See photos from the event here.
 

> Shaun White's final run wins him gold in snowboarding halfpipe; America's 100th all-time gold (More) | Medal count by country (More)
> Notre Dame loses appeal of NCAA decision to vacate 21 football wins due to academic misconduct (More)
> Chris Rock's first stand-up special in a decade released today on Netflix (More)
 

> Microsoft will incorporate public blockchain technology into Authenticator app, one of first major US tech companies to embrace the technology (More)
> Two-decade-long study shows each hour of television under the age of 2 linked to poorer nutrition, higher BMI, worse educational outcomes in teens (More)
> New, fully autonomous consumer drones can maneuver around random obstacles (w/ video) (More)
 

> Chipotle poaches Taco Bell CEO; Chipotle shares up 11% in after-hours (More)
> PepsiCo posts flat sales, to cut 1% of workforce (More)
> Gunmaker Remington reaches deal with creditors to file for Chapter 11 bankruptcy to reduce $950M debt (More)
 

> Two Baltimore police convicted on federal corruption charges amid larger conspiracy case against Department's gun task force (More)
> Steve Poizner, wealthy tech entrepreneur and top GOP candidate for CA Governor, to run as independent (More)
> PA Governor rejects district map redrawn by state GOP legislators, courts will develop new map (More)

Three centuries of Valentine's Day cards (NYT paywall).

Man rents helicopter, impersonates three-star general to woo woman.

Making a bucket list now leads to fewer regrets later.

Not All Heroes Wear Capes, Part III: A day in the life of a high-powered Biglaw mom (via Above The Law).

Gates foundation releases annual list with "10 toughest questions" they get. 

Boston Dynamics brings a Black Mirror episode to life with new robots. 

A list of all the projects Elon Musk's Boring Company is working on. 

A terrifying look at the Olympic sport of skeleton (w/ video). 

Mercedes releases new, updated GWagon. 

Clickbait: Chicago news station uses P.F. Chang's logo while reporting on PyeongChang Olympics. 

Historybook: RIP Saint Valentine (269); Cpt. James Cook killed in Hawaii (1779); HBD Frederick Douglass (1818); Pale Blue Dot photo taken by Voyager 1 (1990); HBD YouTube (2005).  

"IF THERE IS NO STRUGGLE, THERE IS NO PROGRESS."
- Frederick Douglass

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