Nearly 200 dead as Syrian security forces clash with Assad loyalists.
Fighting between Syrian security forces and loyalists of former President Bashar al-Assad in the coastal regions of Latakia and Tartus has led to dozens of people being killed since Thursday, marking the worst violence since Assad’s ousting in December (see background). The conflict has prompted large-scale military reinforcements and curfews as the new government struggles to restore control.
Cause of death for actor Gene Hackman and wife Betsy revealed.
Hackman, 95, likely died of heart disease, with Alzheimer's as a contributing factor, while his wife, Betsy Arakawa, 65, died of hantavirus pulmonary syndrome, according to New Mexico's chief medical examiner. Hantavirus causes a respiratory illness and is associated with rodent droppings. The couple was found dead in their Santa Fe home Feb. 26, but investigators believe Arakawa likely died Feb. 11 and Hackman died Feb. 18 (see previous write-up).
Trump administration cancels $400M in funding to Columbia University.
The administration is pulling the contracts and grants to Columbia University for allegedly failing to protect Jewish students from antisemitism on campus. Last year, Columbia faced protests over the Israel-Hamas conflict and came under congressional scrutiny for its handling of antisemitism. The administration has also opened a similar probe into the University of California system.
Measles outbreak in Texas and New Mexico surpasses 200 cases.
The West Texas outbreak has grown to 198 cases, while the New Mexico outbreak has grown to 30. Among the West Texas cases, 23 people have been hospitalized, and one person—an unvaccinated 6-year-old—died last week. In New Mexico, one unvaccinated adult has died. The CDC says two vaccine doses are 97% effective at preventing measles; the first dose is given to children at 12 to 15 months old and the second at 4 to 6 years old.
Death row inmate executed by firing squad—first in the US in 15 years.
Brad Sigmon, a 67-year-old man convicted of a double murder in 2001, was executed by a firing squad in South Carolina Friday, marking the first use of this method in the US in nearly 15 years. Sigmon chose the firing squad over lethal injection and the electric chair (see overview), citing concerns about the potential for prolonged suffering with the other methods.
US economy adds 151,000 jobs in February, fewer than expected.
The nonfarm payroll growth for last month is up from a downwardly revised 125,000 jobs added in January but below an estimate of 170,000. The unemployment rate rose slightly to 4.1% from 4%. Average hourly earnings rose 0.3% month over month (as expected) and 4% year over year (lower than a 4.2% forecast). See all data here.
Dolly Parton releases ballad in tribute to her late husband, Carl Dean.
Parton's husband, whom she had been married to for 60 years, passed away earlier this week at the age of 82. In tribute, Parton released a new song Friday, titled "If You Hadn't Been There." The ballad reflects on the couple's relationship and the impact Dean had on Parton's life. Listen here.
