An Ignoble Experiment: The 7: Biden’s biggest climate move; Shohei Ohtani’s interpreter; the happiest country in the world; and more

2024/03/21

The 7: Biden’s biggest climate move; Shohei Ohtani’s interpreter; the happiest country in the world; and more

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By Jamie Ross and Hannah Jewell

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Good morning. It's Thursday, March 21, and we hope this guy is reunited soon with his best friend of 33 years — his pet alligator. Now let's catch up.

Donald Trump is running out of options to pay off a massive fine in New York.

What's happening? Trump has until Monday to post a bond of about $464 million in his civil fraud case. If he doesn't, New York could start seizing his assets.
What can he do? Filing for bankruptcy could ease his cash crunch. But Trump is worried that would damage his presidential campaign, The Post reported yesterday.
In related news: An order issued this week by the judge in Trump's classified documents case has raised alarm among legal experts.

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The U.S. finalized its strongest climate change rule for cars yesterday.

What it would do: Force automakers to ramp up electric vehicle sales and slash emissions from gas-powered models. But fossil fuel companies are likely to challenge it.
Digging deeper: The rule also would reduce fine particulate matter — the most risky form of pollution to our health. Only seven countries met global guidelines for it last year.

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A former Mississippi deputy was sentenced to 40 years for a racist assault.

The case: Six White officers — who called themselves "the Goon Squad" — carried out a brutal attack on two Black men last year. It sparked national outrage over police brutality.
Yesterday: Christian Dedmon, who was said to have committed the most serious acts, became the fourth ex-officer sentenced this week. The other two will be sentenced today.

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Women are quitting birth control as misinformation spreads on social media.

What's happening? Influencers and conservative media are encouraging people to use "natural" alternatives to hormonal birth control, which doctors say is safe and effective.
Why it's a problem: Doctors warn these methods can result in unwanted pregnancies in teens and young people at a time when nearly half of states ban or restrict abortion.

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Shohei Ohtani's interpreter was fired after being accused of theft.

Yesterday: The Los Angeles Dodgers fired Ippei Mizuhara hours after Ohtani made his debut for the team in Seoul. Reports alleged he stole millions from the MLB superstar.
What to know: Mizuhara admitted to massive gambling debts that Ohtani paid for him, ESPN reported. But he said Ohtani was not doing any betting.

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March Madness officially tips off today.

What is it? The men's and women's NCAA basketball tournaments, each featuring 64 teams battling over 2½ weeks to be crowned national champion.
How to watch: Men's games are on CBS, TBS, TNT and TruTV. (Michigan State vs. Mississippi State is at 12:15 p.m. Eastern on CBS.) The women start tomorrow on ESPN.
Need to fill out your bracket? Check out the best bets to win it all and 10 tips from a master.

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The U.S. is no longer one of the world's happiest countries.

How we know: It fell from 15th place last year to 23rd this year, according to the annual World Happiness Report. The drop was driven by lower well-being among young people.
So where are the happiest places? Finland took the top spot, followed by Denmark, Iceland and Sweden.

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Before you go … should you crate your dog? Here's what the experts say.

And finally … test your news knowledge with The Post's daily quiz, On the Record. Click here to play. Or try our word game, Keyword.

You're all caught up. See you tomorrow.