Wednesday, April 6 top stories
It is Wednesday, April 6. Here are today’s top stories.
U.S. sanctions Putin’s daughters
The Biden administration announced a new set of sanctions against Russia that targets Russian President Putin’s two adult daughters and bans new investment in Russia.
The U.S. sanctions were done in coordination with the European Union and the Group of 7, which includes Japan and the U.K.
The sanctions exempt financial transactions and organizations that deal with Russian oil and gas, probably because many European countries depend on it.
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The U.S. has individually banned all imports of Russian oil and gas. That move, announced in early March, resulted in record gas prices. Lithuania has also banned all Russian energy.
Netherlands seizes 14 yachts
Netherlands authorities seized 14 yachts in shipyards because the vessels are suspected to be linked to wealthy Russians who are sanctioned because of their close relationships to Russian President Putin. 12 of the yachts were still under construction in five different shipyards. Two other yachts were under maintenance.
No charges in police shooting of Amir Locke
Minnesota prosecutors announced they would not file criminal charges against the Minneapolis police officer who fatally shot a 22-year-old Black man named Amir Locke in February.
A body camera video showed that a group of police officers used an apartment key to silently enter an apartment, where they proceeded to kick a couch that Locke was sleeping in. When Locke woke up, he was holding a gun in his hand, and the officers reacted by shooting him.
Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison and other officials said that while Locke’s death is a tragedy, there was not enough evidence to pursue criminal charges.
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Most Americans can’t name all 4 grandparents
A survey of over 2,000 American adults that asked if they could name all four of their grandparents found that only 47% knew all four names. That knowledge gap is even more pronounced when it comes to great-grandparents — only 4% of those surveyed could name all eight. Can you name all four? How about all eight?
Federal student loan payments pause is extended
President Biden announced another extension in the pause in federal student loan payments through August 31. It is the sixth time that the pause has been extended over the pandemic. Biden said “we are still recovering from the pandemic.”
Sen. Bernie Sanders has a different idea, tweeting “Cancel student debt. All of it.”
DC fox bites U.S. congressman
A fox bit a U.S. congressman and a woman on grounds near the U.S. Capitol on Monday. The congressman was Rep. Ami Bera (D-California). He received shots at the Walter Reed Medical Center. The fox was captured on Tuesday. Here is a video clip from NBC 4 Washington.
[Video clip]
The congressman said it was the most “unusual day on the Hill in 10 years.” The fox may have had some type of disease, such as rabies, or it may have been protecting a den nearby.
That is all the top stories for today. See you tomorrow and stay with the light.