Good morning. It's Wednesday, March 12, and we're covering the outcome of US-Ukraine talks over Russia, an identity change for a major US airline, and much more. First time reading? Join over 4 million intellectually curious readers. Sign up here.
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Ukraine Ceasefire Proposal |
Ukraine accepted a US-proposed 30-day ceasefire deal yesterday amid negotiations in Saudi Arabia. The agreement, contingent upon Russian acceptance, would halt fighting along the front line as well as in the air and sea. In exchange, the US agreed to restore military aid to Ukraine, which was cut off after a tense Oval Office exchange between President Donald Trump and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy two weeks ago.
The joint statement from the US and Ukraine came hours after Kyiv launched the war’s largest drone attack against the Moscow region, killing at least three and wounding another 18. More than 300 drones were intercepted in Moscow and elsewhere in the country. The attack highlighted Kyiv’s ability to strike deep into Russian territory despite recent setbacks in the war, disrupting train and air travel while damaging key oil-processing plants. Read how drones have changed warfare here.
The three-year war has left more than 1 million combatants dead or wounded and has displaced more than 10 million civilians. The UN estimates rebuilding Ukraine will cost more than $500B over a decade. |
Former Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte was arrested yesterday at Manila’s international airport under a warrant issued by the International Criminal Court. The 79-year-old was returning from Hong Kong when law enforcement took him into custody for alleged crimes against humanity tied to his antidrug campaign.
The arrest concludes the yearslong ICC investigation into Duterte's war on drugs, spanning from his mayorship in Davao (November 2011) through his presidency (2016-22) until March 2019, when the Philippines withdrew from the ICC. Official records cite more than 6,000 deaths, while human rights groups estimate the toll could be closer to 30,000. The ICC accuses Duterte of orchestrating widespread unlawful killings targeting civilians while providing immunity to perpetrators and rewarding police officers with financial incentives.
His supporters argue the arrest is illegal because the court lacks jurisdiction, but the ICC maintains it retains authority over crimes committed before the withdrawal. |
Southwest Airlines is dropping its long-standing "bags fly free" policy for most travelers starting May 28, which analysts say could impact customer loyalty. Only top-tier customers will retain the perk of two free checked bags, while some members will be allowed one free checked bag, and others will be charged.
The decision marks a major shift in Southwest's 54-year history and comes amid financial pressures and changing customer preferences post-pandemic. The airline could generate up to $1.5B per year in revenue from baggage fees while losing $1.8B in market share, per a consulting firm's analysis. (In 2023, US airlines collectively brought in $7.1B from baggage fees.) Southwest will also introduce assigned seating, extra legroom seats for a fee, and a basic economy fare class. Southwest shares closed up 8% yesterday.
In related news, Delta Air Lines, American Airlines, and Southwest lowered their financial forecasts for the first quarter of this year, citing bad weather, plane crashes, and less consumer spending. |
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Sports, Entertainment, & Culture |
> "Othello," starring Denzel Washington and Jake Gyllenhaal, hauls in $2.8M to break record for highest-grossing week for a Broadway play (More) |
> Wendy Williams taken to hospital after being removed from her assisted-living home following a wellness check by NYC police (More) | Stanley R. Jaffe, Oscar-winning producer known for "Kramer vs. Kramer" and "Fatal Attraction," dies at age 84 (More) |
> College basketball conference championship week is under way; see schedules and odds for the men's tournaments (More) | ... and complete schedule for the women's tournaments (More) |
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> Researchers demonstrate recycling process that breaks down common plastics using only an inexpensive catalyst and moisture pulled from the air (More) |
> Scientists create "berkelocene," the first metallic compound using the element berkelium; with an atomic number of 97, the achievement sheds light on chemistry with elements heavier than uranium (More) |
> Water droplets flowing across a surface generate as much as 10 times more electric charge than previously believed; results shed light on the microscopic physics of interfaces, may lead to improved fuel systems (More) |
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> US stock markets close lower (S&P 500 -0.8%, Dow -1.1%, Nasdaq -0.2%) amid trade policy uncertainty (More) |
> Ontario, Canada, temporarily suspends planned 25% surcharge on electricity exported to US states; comes after President Donald Trump vowed to raise Canadian steel and aluminum imports tariffs to 50% before reversing course (More) |
> US job openings rose to 7.7 million in January, after falling in December, per the Labor Department’s Job Openings and Labor Turnover Survey report (More) |
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> Education Department sends reduction-in-force notices to 1,315 staffers yesterday evening, while 572 employees have accepted separation packages in recent weeks and 63 probationary workers were laid off last month; roughly 50% of around 4,000 agency employees have been let go (More) |
> House Republicans vote 217-213 to pass bill to fund the government through Sept. 30, includes increasing military spending by $6B and rolling back $20B in IRS funding; bill heads to Senate ahead of shutdown deadline at midnight Friday (More) | Former US Rep. Katie Porter (D, CA-47) to run for California governor (More) |
> UK police arrest 59-year-old man on suspicion of manslaughter a day after a container ship struck an oil tanker in the North Sea, leaving one crew member missing and presumed dead; 36 others were rescued alive (More) |
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