Good morning. It's Saturday, March 12, and in this weekend edition, we're covering Russia's trade status, extended mask mandates in airplanes, and much more. Have feedback? We'd love to hear it. Let us know at [email protected].
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The US is moving to join the European Union and other allies to revoke normal trade relations with Russia, allowing for new tariffs to be imposed on the country in response to its invasion of Ukraine. Doing so would mean stripping Russia's status as a "most favored nation"—a designation within the World Trade Organization that allows for few barriers to trade (see 101). But first, congress will need to pass legislation to officially remove Russia's most favored nation status.
The US is also banning imports of vodka, seafood, and diamonds from Russia, President Joe Biden announced yesterday. It follows the US ban on Russian oil, natural gas, and coal imports as well as sanctions on banks, oligarchs, and businesses. Russia's economy has seen signs of a slowdown, with the value of its currency slashed in half since the start of the year, and sanctions on its central bank make it difficult for Russia to access foreign currency reserves it has built up. The International Monetary Fund said the country may face a deep recession this year.
Russia expanded its offensive Friday, striking airports in the western Ukrainian cities of Ivano-Frankivsk and Lutsk, and hitting the eastern industrial city of Dnipro.
Meanwhile, the UN Security Council met yesterday in an emergency meeting to discuss Russia's claims of an alleged manufacture of biological weapons in Ukraine.
Separately, the mayor of Warsaw, Poland is asking for international aid as the city has become a key destination for Ukrainian refugees. As of yesterday, more than 1.5 million refugees have entered Poland, with about 230,000 staying in Warsaw.
Catch up on the latest developments here.
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> $145M: The cost of a planned cable-car system in Paris that will transport passengers from the suburbs to the city. It's the first of its kind in the City of Love, following other French cities that have built similar active cable-car systems.
> ~$2M: The amount of money raised for Ukraine by funneling money through Airbnb bookings in the country.
> ~$250,000: The amount of funds a group of friends crowdsourced to buy a Caribbean island. They plan to establish the world's newest micronation and are looking for citizens.
> $171,831: The total selling price for 74 original NASA photographs from the Apollo missions. The photos were sold at an auction in Copenhagen and included the famous snap of Buzz Aldrin on the moon, which sold for $7,700.
> 52: The number of reptiles an American hid in his clothing as he tried to pass Border Patrol agents in California. Agents seized nine snakes and 43 horned lizards concealed in the 30-year-old's jacket and pants.
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> Baby receives world's first combination heart transplant with thymus gland issue. (More)
> A 28-year-old Texas bakery owner donates proceeds to help Ukraine. (More)
> California teenager's nonprofit gifts self-care kits to girls in need. (More)
> Football player gives clothes from his bag to a homeless woman outside an NFL combine center. (More)
> Florida company gifts family a new specialty van for son with cerebral palsy after their previous vehicle crashed. (More)
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Historybook: Writer and author of "On the Road" Jack Kerouac born (1922); Mahatma Gandhi begins 200-mile protest march against British salt tax (1930); HBD actress and singer Liza Minnelli (1946); RIP jazz saxophonist Charlie Parker (1955); Streaming service Hulu launched to US public (2008).
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"Dream on it. Let your mind take you to places you would like to go, and then think about it and plan it and celebrate the possibilities. And don't listen to anyone who doesn't know how to dream."
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