Good morning, and happy Wednesday! Here are some of the stories we're following today:
1. Divers break through ferry walls to search for bodies
The grim search for bodies after a South Korean ferry sunk one week ago continued today, as divers had to break through cabin walls and search in the dark. Meanwhile, officials will have to turn their attention to salvaging the ship and hoisting it from the seabed. Read more in NEWS.
2. Supreme Court upholds Michigan’s affirmative action ban
The justices in a 6-2 ruling on Tuesday upheld the state’s ban on using race as a factor in college admissions, saying it did not violate the U.S. Constitution when Michigan voters banned affirmative action. Justices Ruth Bader Ginsburg and Sonia Sotomayor dissented. Read more in NEWS.
3. Jet search officials probe ‘material’ that washed ashore
Investigators are looking into an object that washed up on Australia’s shore — what appears to be a piece of sheet metal with rivets. But whether that came from the missing Malaysian jet probably isn’t likely. One official expressed caution, saying early analysis of the photographs had led to a cooling of interest. Read more in NEWS.
4. Biden takes aim at Russia for supporting protesters’ unrest
Vice President Joe Biden during a trip to Kiev called for Russia to “stop supporting men hiding behind masks” and accused them of “sowing unrest” in eastern Ukraine. The U.S. has offered a $58 million aid package to the country, where tensions remain between the pro-West government and pro-Russian separatists. Read more in NEWS.
5. Georgia governor to sign controversial gun law
Gov. Nathan Deal is set to sign the “Safe Carry Protection Act” into law today, and it would be among the most permissive state gun laws in the country when it goes into effect in July. Licensed gun owners will be able to carry firearms into places such as bars and government buildings, as well as churches that permit it. Critics, however, are calling the law extreme in a time when gun violence is gripping the country. Read more in NEWS.
6. NYPD’s Twitter photo contest quickly backfires
The NYPD on Tuesday asked Twitter users to post photos of positive interactions with police and use the hashtag “myNYPD.” But that turned into a major fail after users decided to post pictures of police brutality and other unflattering behavior. Read more in NEWS.
… What’s trending today?
Being awestruck is an understatement.
A kid at the San Francisco Giants-Colorado Rockies game on Monday night gave a priceless reaction after a fellow fan handed him a foul ball. The gesture was simple and had onlookers clapping in the stands.
