In the News

Here is some stuff in the news today...

[Content Note: War; drones; death] "At least 50 militants were killed in a U.S. air strike on an al Qaeda training camp in the mountains of southern Yemen, medics and a local official said on Wednesday. The attack took place as al Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula (AQAP) recruits queued for dinner at the camp, west of the port city of Mukalla on Yemen's south coast. The Pentagon said on Tuesday that a U.S. air strike on an AQAP training camp had killed dozens of fighters but it gave no further details. The Yemeni sources said that at least 50 people were killed and 30 wounded. The air strikes set off huge fires inside the camp, residents said. ...The United States has frequently targeted al Qaeda militants across Yemen with drone strikes, killing many prominent leaders of the group over the past few years." It's incredible to me that this isn't major news. Most USians have no idea that this not-war in Yemen is even going on.

[CN: War on agency] Today, the Supreme Court heard arguments in Zubik v. Burwell, which is the second direct challenge to the Affordable Care Act's contraception benefit. Jessica Mason Pieklo has "Everything You Need to Know for the Supreme Court Birth Control Case."

[CN: Police brutality; misogynoir] This fucking guy: "A fired Texas trooper pleaded not guilty to a charge of misdemeanor perjury stemming from his arrest last summer of Sandra Bland, a black woman who was later found dead in a county jail. Brian Encinia entered his plea on Tuesday during a brief appearance before a Waller County judge as protesters gathered outside the courthouse in Hempstead, about 50 miles northwest of Houston. One held a sign that read: 'What happened to Sandra Bland?' About 20 protesters yelled 'Tell the truth' and 'Sandra still speaks,' and at one point directed their chanting at Waller County sheriff Glenn Smith, who stood nearby speaking with reporters. ...Encinia's attorney, Larkin Eakin, said after Tuesday's arraignment that the perjury charge 'represents a fundamental misunderstanding of law enforcement procedures.' He said Encinia acted properly during the July 2015 traffic stop and subsequent arrest of Bland." Bullshit he did.

Winter isn't done with all of us yet: "Heavy snow and howling winds, gusting over 40 mph, brought traffic to a standstill this morning in Denver as a major spring storm wound up in the western Plains. The storm is forecast to unload well over 6 inches of snow in a stripe extending from Denver to Green Bay. In the storm's warm sector in the southern and central Plains, severe thunderstorms may erupt this afternoon and evening." Stay safe, everyone!

In presidential news: Jeb Bush has endorsed Ted Cruz, because of course he has. "Ted is a consistent, principled conservative." Sure. He's got consistently garbage principles.

[CN: Misogyny] And on the other side of the aisle: "Here's Bernie Sanders and a Radio Host Joking About Checking out a Topless Woman." Cool.

Here's a terrific picture of a 101-year-old lady who supports Hillary Clinton, holding two signs: One reading '101 Years Young and Voting for Hillary' and another reading 'Centenarian for Hillary." Can you even imagine?! 101 years old and getting to vote for a female presidential candidate for the first time!

RIP Malik Taylor, aka Phife Dawg, from A Tribe Called Quest. My condolences to his family, friends, colleagues, and fans.

If you're a tennis fan, at least you can keep rooting for Andy Murray! "I think there should be equal pay, 100 percent, at all combined events... One of the things Novak said was that if women are selling more seats and tickets they should make more but at a tournament like this, for example, if Serena is playing on centre court and you have a men's match with [Sergiy] Stakhovsky playing, people are coming to watch Serena. The crowds are coming to watch the women as well. The whole thing just doesn't stack up." A+

And finally! A massive two-day ASPCA adoption event resulted in all 524 homeless dogs and cats being adopted: "Owen, an older, heartworm positive dog, was one of the remaining pets. On Saturday, he had the special honor of being the last dog to leave. He was adopted by Angel K. and her 14-year-old daughter, who chose Owen as a companion for Angel's husband, a former police officer and army veteran who served five tours in Iraq. A sea of 170 ASPCA responders—singing, 'For He's a Jolly Good Fellow'—parted as Angel walked Owen through. ...At 1:40 P.M. Saturday, the last available cat, Avocado, went home with Kim and Stewart K. of Sanford, in honor of the couple's twelfth wedding anniversary. 'She's our gift to each other,' said Stewart, as he and Kim posed with responders for a final photo. 'We'll make her feel at home.' The bell rang one last time." I literally just cried my face off. ♥ ♥ ♥