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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.
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Former Brazilian President Heads to Jail.
A federal judge ordered former Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva - also known simply as Lula - to turn himself into authorities and begin serving a 12-year prison sentence yesterday. The former head of state was convicted last July on corruption and money laundering charges, accused of helping facilitate billions of dollars in government contracts in exchange for kickbacks. Lula's arrest - the specific charge was related to an upgraded seaside duplex given to Lula by a construction company - was part of the country's broader effort to combat corruption, known as Lava Jato, or Car Wash. Despite the charges Lula was an extremely popular leader, having left office eight years ago with an 87% approval rating. He remains as the Worker Party's presidential candidate for this year's upcoming election in October.
In completely unrelated news, former South Korean president Park Geun-hye was sentenced to 24 years in prison - also on corruption charges.
Treasure Trove of New Viruses Discovered.
Scientists have discovered over 200 new types of viruses in amphibians, reptiles, and fish, according to a study published yesterday. The viruses are so-called RNA viruses - as opposed to DNA viruses - a category which includes a range of viruses like influenza, hepatitis C, and Ebola (see 101). DNA viruses replicate inside a host cell using a sort of proof-reading mechanism, which results in less errors (giving less chance for mutations). So while many DNA viruses, like smallpox, are fatal, once a vaccine is developed they are virtually eradicated. RNA viruses do not use this mechanism, and therefore mutate much more quickly. The result is that RNA viruses are the leading cause of emerging disease in humans. Scientists had focused on these viruses in humans, but turned to fish and amphibians in an effort to understand how the viruses evolve. The findings suggest RNA viruses are much more widespread in the animal kingdom than previously thought.
US, China Trade Tariff Threats.
President Trump hinted at the possibility of an additional $100B in tariffs on Chinese imports yesterday, signaling a potential escalation of a trade war. The comments come just days after the US rolled out details surrounding $50B in tariffs on Chinese goods (mostly advanced technologies, but also some common consumer goods), to which China responded with a similar $50B in tariffs on US goods that included agricultural products and automobiles. Chinese officials said they were prepared to fight US trade barriers "at any costs" - European markets opened down on fears of an escalating trade war between the two countries.
The US exported $170B in goods and services to China in 2016, importing $479B.
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Sports, Entertainment & Culture.
> Celtics guard Kyrie Irving out for season, will miss playoffs with knee injury ( More)
> UFC star Conor McGregor arrested on assault charges after attacking UFC fighters on team bus ( More) | See video here ( More)
> Black Panther screening to break 35-year cinema ban in Saudi Arabia ( More)
Science & Technology.
> Mississippi River flooding worse now than any time in the past 500 years, with dams and levees making the problem worse by preventing natural outlets along its route ( More)
> Archaeologists find 180 million-year-old ichthyosaur fossil pregnant with octuplets ( More)
> Seven-year follow-up study shows first evidence linking intensive meditation training to lasting cognitive gains ( More)
Business & Markets.
> JPMorgan Chase CEO Jamie Dimon releases famed annual shareholder letter ( More) | Dimon reveals details on healthcare joint venture with Amazon & Berkshire Hathaway ( More)
> Instacart raises another $150M at $4.35B valuation - will use funds to double staff across North America ( More)
> Chicago Stock Exchange to be sold to NYSE owner ( More)
Politics & World Affairs.
> Record number of women running for US House seats in 2018 election, currently at 309 total across both parties ( More)
> President Trump denies knowledge of non-disclosure payments to adult film star Stormy Daniels by lawyer Michael Cohen ( More)
> China bans online sales of the bible, continues to tighten grip on practice of religion in country ( More)
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The Clock is Ticking.
Vanity Fair | William Langewiesche. Recordings salvaged from three miles deep off the coast of the Bahamas tells the story of El Faro, who was engulfed in a hurricane in one of the worst maritime disasters in memory. (Read)
A Betrayal.
ProPublica | Hannah Dreier. The gripping story of a Long Island teenager from El Salvador that told police all about his local MS-13 gang. In return, he was slated for deportation and marked for death. (Read)
Why Good People Turn Bad Online.
Mosaic | Gaia Vince. The anonymity that the internet provides can allow - and even encourage - people to say things they would never say in person. As we move towards a 24/7 online world, how can we defeat our inner troll? (Read)
Thanks to Cindy L. from North Carolina for recommending...
The Last Frontier for Gay Rights.
Washington Post | Tiffany Stanley. In rural and conservative Alexander County, NC, the CEO of one of the county's largest employers is also an unabashed advocate for gay rights. (Read)
Have a suggestion? Let us know at [email protected].
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How executives feel about crying at work.
20 things your TSA agent won't tell you - but you need to know.
Why eating bugs is an American tradition (via Atlas Obscura).
Zoo Poo: Detroit Zoo to give away buckets of animal manure ahead of Earth Day.
Dishwashing causes more relationship stress than any other household task.
Study with women, get better grades.
The world's first luxury hotel in outer space is now taking reservations.
Chinese funeral parlor provides death tours in virtual reality.
Celebrity fashion designer gets engaged at...Chipotle.
Clickbait: You won't believe what this zombie raccoon did next...
Historybook: Rapheal born and died (1483, 1520); 1st modern Olympics opens in Athens (1896); US declares war on Germany in World War I (1917); RIP Tammy Wynette (1998); RIP Isaac Asimov (1992).
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"Never let your sense of morals get in the way of doing what's right."
- Isaac Asimov
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