Here are some of the stories making headlines today.
US-led strike caused civilian deaths in Mosul, Iraqi official says
The US-led coalition has acknowledged hitting a vehicle carrying explosives in the March 17 strike — though US officials have not confirmed the Iraqi military’s account of exactly what happened. Confusion has surrounded events during airstrikes on the city between March 17 and 23 after allegations emerged that as many as 200 civilians had been killed there.
Sources: Trump learned a lesson on dealmaking
Republican sources close to the White House, aides inside the Trump administration, and GOP congressional staff involved in the health care process appear to agree on one thing: President Donald Trump has received a stinging lesson on dealmaking in Washington.
For Trump, no closing this deal
Steve Bannon, President Donald Trump’s chief strategist, was furious and confronted the group. There would be no more negotiating, he said. But Thursday night, as the men who could make or break the Obamacare repeal effort stared back at one another across the table, the realization was hitting many involved: There would be no deal.
Kremlin critic detained in tense anti-corruption protests
Navalny downplayed his detention in a series of tweets and encouraged protesters to keep marching. “Today we are discussing (and condemning) corruption, not the detentions. Well, I was detained. So what. It ok. There are things in life that are worth being detained for,” Navalny tweeted.
United Airlines in Twitter trouble over dress code rules
The dust-up over United’s rules came after Shannon Watts, the founder of the anti-gun violence group Moms Demand Action, tweeted about seeing a United gate agent refuse to allow “girls in leggings” board a flight from Denver to Minneapolis “because spandex is not allowed.” “I guess @united not letting women wear athletic wear?”
EU leaders mark 60th anniversary with new declaration of unity
The informal summit in Rome sees leaders from across Europe renew their commitment to the EU in light of Britain’s impending exit. British Prime Minister Theresa May — who is not attendance — is expected to trigger Article 50 and notify the EU of the UK’s intention to leave the bloc on Wednesday.
Five months, eight prominent Russians dead
Among the recent deaths were five Russian diplomats. Some of the deaths appeared natural and governments have ruled out foul play. In some cases, though, questions remain. That’s either because the facts have changed over time, details are hard to come by, or the deaths are still under investigation.
Why Jesus’ parables make us uncomfortable
Jesus’ parables — short stories with moral lessons — were likewise designed to afflict, to draw us in but leave us uncomfortable. These teachings can be read as being about divine love and salvation, sure. But, their first listeners — first century Jews in Galilee and Judea — heard much more challenging messages.
These scientists turned spinach leaves into beating heart tissue
Popeye was fond of cramming cans of spinach to beef up his cartoon biceps. Now scientists say the leafy green really could help build a real-world muscle, only this time, it’s the human heart. A team of U.S. researchers found a way to use the veins of the spinach leaf to build a miniature version of a beating heart muscle.
One Direction’s Liam Payne is officially a father
It seems like just yesterday the members of One Direction were young kids on The X Factor, but in news that might make you feel very old, some of the guys now have kids themselves. Liam Payne is the second member of the boy band to welcome a little one into the world.
Possibly evil mass death of zoo snakes leads to investigation
Nobody gives you the Harambe treatment when you have scales instead of fur. That’s what we’re learning after Zoo Knoxville officials in Tennessee revealed that 33 snakes and a lizard were mysteriously found dead on Wednesday morning. No crime scene clues of note and no message from the killer, just a bunch of dead snakes.
Google is working on a new social app for editing photos
Google is working on a new social app that lets users edit photos in small groups, says TechCrunch . Apple announced a similar app earlier this week called Clips, which lets users quickly edit videos and add visual elements to them, kind of like Snapchat.
10 things named after Sir David Attenborough
Sir David Attenborough is accruing quite a substantial collection of things named after him. This week our favourite documentarian was the inspiration for the name of a 430 million year old fossil. And there’s an an abundance of other species and objects, including a boat, that carry the Attenborough name.
This ambitious U-shaped skyscraper could soon loop over NYC
This spectacular U-shaped concept skyscraper from Oiio studio could be built in New York City.
Um why is there a teddy bear emoji on these leaked Samsung Galaxy S8 camera photos?
Okay, now the Samsung Galaxy S8 leaks are just getting ridiculous. We’re just days away from Samsung’s big reveal, so, naturally, we’ve pretty much seen the entire phone at this point.
The ‘Spider-Man: Homecoming’ poster leans into Spidey’s Avengers connection
Spider-Man: Homecoming brings us our third Spider-Man in 15 years, but this webslinger’s got something his predecessors didn’t: a hookup to the Avengers. The new poster makes that crystal-clear, positioning the Avengers tower smack-dab in the middle of the Manhattan skyline. Our friendly neighborhood Spider-Man is there, too, chillin’ like a villain on the water’s edge.
Russia Detains Opposition Leader Navalny Amid Nationwide Protests
MOSCOW/YEKATERINBURG, March 26 (Reuters) – Police detained dozens of protesters across Russia on Sunday, including opposition leader Alexei Navalny, after thousands took to the streets to demonstrate against corruption and demand the resignation of Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev.
Anti-Kremlin Protests Take Hold Over Major Russian Cities
Thousands of Russian opposition supporters assembled across the country Sunday in what may be the biggest anti-Kremlin protest in years. Unsanctioned rallies in several cities ― including Moscow, Saint Petersburg and Vladivostok ― sprung up after anti-corruption campaigner Alexei Navalny published allegations that Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev had accumulated a massive fortune surpassing his official salary.
‘Orange Is The New Black’ Star Samira Wiley Marries Longtime Girlfriend
The confetti was surely flying during this particular wedding day! ” Orange Is the New Black” star Samira Wiley on Saturday married her longtime girlfriend, Lauren Morelli, in a special ceremony celebrating their mutual love for Pillsbury Funfetti cake, Martha Stewart Weddings reports. The nontraditional, confetti-themed nuptials took place in Palm Springs, California.
A Bird Landed On Bernie Sanders’ Podium Exactly A Year Ago Today
It seems like a distant memory, but exactly a year ago Saturday, a bird landed on Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) podium while he was speaking at a presidential campaign rally in Portland, Oregon. The poetic moment ― an inspiration for countless internet memes ― came just weeks after Sanders upset his Democratic contender Hillary Clinton with an unexpected win in the Michigan primary.
‘The Art Of The Fail’: The Meme That Ate Donald Trump’s Book
President Donald Trump’s business boasts in his book The Art of the Deal returned to haunt him after the GOP failed to repeal Obamacare and replace it with his Trumpcare health plan Friday. And the irony was not lost on many social media users, who quickly turned the title into hilarious memes.
Uber Grounds Self-Driving Car Fleet After Serious Arizona Crash
Uber is suspending its entire self-driving car program while it investigates a serious crash of one of its vehicles in Arizona. Uber confirmed the accident after a photo was posted on Twitter showing an Uber SUV Volvo on its side next to another dented car with broken windows.
POLL: Kabogo vs Waititu… Whom Will You Vote For?
A good number of people who claim to live in Nairobi are actually in Kiambu. That means that as much as they fancy a duel between Kidero and Sonko or Peter Kenneth, they might eventually have to deal with Kabogo and Waititu.
New Twist as Jaguar’s Range Rover Involved in Death of Two is Owned by a Woman
Following reports that Jaguar’s top of the range vehicle was involved in a grisly road accident in Makutano near Sagana that claimed the lives of two men, there have been conflicting reports about who was behind the wheel in the Tuesday accident. According to eyewitness reports, the Range Rover w
Lung Patient Who Melted Hearts Jets Back From India, Thanks Kenyans for the Support (VIDEO)
Gladys Kamande, the terminally ill patient who melted hearts social media with her struggle to stay alive, has returned to the country after receiving treatment in India. Kamande, whose collapsed lungs made her carry around an oxygen cylinder and a generator, can now breathe unaided for minutes a
Shock as Pastor Pius Muiru’s Mother is Kiled and Buried in Shallow Grave in her Farm
Tragedy has struck the family of prominent city televangelist Pius Muiru of Maximum Miracle Center after the discovery of the body of the pastor’s mother who went missing last weekend. Grace Wangari Mwangi – in her late 70s – was reported missing at the weekend.
