1 Biden Announces More Sanctions, Heavy Explosions Heard In Kyiv
President Biden is unveiling another round of sweeping sanctions against Russia over its attack on Ukraine. Speaking from the White House, Biden said the sanctions target banks and Russia's elite class. He argued Russia is already feeling the effects of sanctions – but allowed that he doesn’t expect the full effect to come right away. Biden has also authorized an additional seven-thousand U.S. troops to Germany to further bolster NATO defenses. He again stressed that U.S. military troops will not be deployed to fight Russians, but warned that things could change if NATO allies are threatened. Some U.S. forces will help process Ukrainian refugees in Eastern Europe. In the meantime, Biden says NATO will convene a 30-nation summit to map out next steps on further strengthening the alliance. He called Russia's assault on Ukraine an unprovoked, premeditated attack on the people of Ukraine. Biden vowed, "Freedom will prevail."
2 Rocket To Crash Into Moon One Week From Today
An out-of-control rocket is on track to crash into the moon one week from today. It was first thought to belong to SpaceX, but NASA now believes it's from a Chinese test mission launched in 2014. That means it's been floating in orbit for almost eight years even though China claims it already burned up. Either way, the moon will take a direct hit but scientists say the impact will be minor.
3 MN Jury Convicts Ex-Cops In George Floyd Case
A jury has found three former Minneapolis police officers - J. Alexander Kueng, Thomas Lane and Tou Thao – guilty for violating George Floyd's civil rights. The jury said the three men violated Floyd's civil rights when they failed to provide Floyd with medical care as Derek Chauvin knelt on his neck during an arrest two years ago. In closing arguments, prosecutors said the defendants "chose to do nothing" to help Floyd while Chauvin knelt on Floyd’s neck for 9 ½ minutes. So while three were convicted of depriving Floyd of his civil rights while acting under government authority when they failed to give him medical aid - Kueng and Thao – were also found guilty of not intervening to stop Chauvin as he used excessive force. Chauvin was found guilty of murder. The officers will remain free on bond until they are sentenced at a later date. The Department of Justice says those who violate civil rights can be punished "by a range of imprisonment up to a life term, or the death penalty, depending upon the circumstances of the crime."