1 Iowa Tornado Death Toll Rises
The damage assessment is continuing after deadly tornadoes chewed through Iowa on Saturday. The National Weather Service in Des Moines is sending damage survey teams to two Iowa cities today to get a more accurate gauge on the strength of the tornadoes that killed seven people. Right off the bat, however? The National Weather Service in Des Moines says an initial estimate of the tornado in Madison County showed it was an EF3, with wind speeds of at least 136-miles per hour…and was on the ground for at least 16-miles. But two of the others have already been tagged as an EF-1 and EF-2. Officials say six of the victims died when a tornado touched down in the county seat of Winterset southwest of Des Moines. The seventh victim died in a twister that hit Chariton about 50-miles south of Des Moines.
2 Ukraine, Russia To Face Off In Court Today
Shell-shocked Ukrainians have had war imposed on them for nearly two-weeks now – and there don’t appear any signs of the conflict ending – even as Russia is promising for a third time to open humanitarian corridors for Ukrainians to flee. While they “promised” twice before, Russian forces never held to an agreed cease fire…and according to reports on the ground – even amped up attacked on civilian areas. As invading Russian forces continue their bombardment, hundreds of citizens have been killed, and more than 1.5-million refugees have fled the country – Ukraine will face off in court today – against Russia. The plan? Ukraine will ask the United Nations' top court to issue an emergency ruling requiring Russia to stop its invasion. Russia maintains they must continue "special military action" "to protect people who have been subjected to bullying and genocide” in Eastern Ukraine. None of which has been proven – and none of which is explained by the attacks on civilians in the rest of the country.
3 WNBA’s Brittney Griner Detained In Russia On Drug Charges
WNBA All-Star Brittney Griner is being detained in Russia on drug charges – if convicted, she could face five to ten years in prison. This, after being arrested at a Moscow airport. Griner is accused of carrying vape cartridges in her carry-on luggage that contained an oil derived from cannabis. There has been no independent verification that she was carrying anything – and her team isn’t arguing anything. Instead, the focus is on getting her home. Word of Griner's arrest led to Secretary of State Antony Blinken saying that "Whenever an American is detained anywhere in the world, we of course stand ready to provide every possible assistance, and that includes in Russia." The Phoenix Mercury star has been playing for a Russian team in the Euroleague since 2015.