In the News

Here is some stuff in the news today...

[Content Note: Airline disaster; death] Malaysian Prime Minister Najib Razak announced during a press conference earlier today that "new satellite data analysis has confirmed that missing Flight 370 crashed into the southern Indian Ocean. ...'This is a remote location, far from any possible landing site. It is therefore with deep sadness and regret that according to this data the flight ended in the southern Indian Ocean.' ...After more than two weeks of mystery and speculation, Najib's announcement was the first official confirmation of the fate of the Boeing 777 that vanished on March 8." Such sad news, if expected. The investigation continues into what caused the plane to down into the ocean.

[CN: War on agency] The Georgia state legislature has passed a ban "on insurance coverage of abortion for many health plans in the state this week, and also refused to expand Medicaid, fueling outraged protests. ...The insurance ban contains no exceptions for rape or incest, and only a narrow health exception. If the governor signs it, Georgia will be the 25th state to forbid abortion coverage on the insurance exchanges. Reproductive rights advocates have noted that banning insurance coverage of abortion is an anti-choice strategy to restrict access to abortion without the political and legal difficulties of banning the procedure outright." Chip, chip, chipping away at Roe.

[CN: Guns; violence] Text messages and other communications between Reeva Steenkamp and Oscar Pistorius reveal that Steenkamp said she was "scared of [him] sometimes" and that he was a jealous, controlling, abusive partner, who incessantly picked at her and exhibited angry jealousy.

[CN: Christian Supremacy] Ian Millhiser: "Read This One Document to Understand What the Christian Right Hopes to Gain From Hobby Lobby."

[CN: Class warfare] Paul Krugman on the continuing drift toward oligarchy: "Wealth Over Work."

[CN: Class warfare] Which reminds me: I watched a very compelling and profoundly sad documentary on HBO this weekend titled "Paycheck to Paycheck: The Life and Times of Katrina Gilbert." If you have the opportunity to see it, I highly recommend it. There's also a good Q&A with Katrina here.

Breaking News: Hillary Clinton might be running for president. Or not!

RIP James Rebhorn. James Rebhorn was a terrific character actor, and even if you don't recognize his name, you will probably recognize his face.

If you are a fan of the Assassin's Creed game series, you may be interested that its next iteration will take place during the French Revolution. The graphics in that game are always spectacular, but this one looks even more amazing. Still no female avatar, though. COME ON!

Dogs are confused by sleight of hand, and it is very funny. (Don't worry—I'm sure they all got LOADS OF TREATS afterwards!)