1. Breaking This Morning: Russian Metro Explosions
Explosions rocked a metro station in St. Petersburg, Russia, Monday morning. So far, there are 10 confirmed deaths, CNN reported. Russian President Putin was visiting the city earlier Monday morning, speaking at an event. It is unclear whether he was still in St. Petersburg at the time of the explosion. An investigation is pending. In the meantime, subway riders are being evacuated.
Live updates: Twin explosions rock metro station in St. Petersburg, Russia, leaving at least 10 dead https://t.co/mIY5pwoZMe pic.twitter.com/LtAUICHNyu
— CNN (@CNN) April 3, 2017
https://twitter.com/KevinRothrock/status/848878530041708545
2. Gorsuch SCOTUS Confirmation
This week, the Senate is slated to decide whether it will confirm Judge Neil Gorsuch as the next Supreme Court judge. But it’s not going to be an easy process. With many Democrats still upset over the Republican-majority Senate’s denial of Obama-nominated Judge Merrick Garland, they are expected to do everything in their power to delay Gorsuch’s confirmation. It’s likely that Democrats will filibuster to block the vote, in which case Republican may amend Senate rules in order to block the filibuster.
3. South Carolina’s Historic Win
The South Carolina women’s basketball team claimed its first NCAA tournament Sunday. In the final title game against the Mississippi Bulldogs, the South Carolina Gamecocks scored 67-55. Both teams had incredible seasons, making the final matchup all the more thrilling for fans of March Madness.
Congratulations to @dawnstaley & the @GamecockWBB team on their first NCAA Women's national championship! Phenomenal play & well deserved.
— Earvin Magic Johnson (@MagicJohnson) April 3, 2017
4. Rand Paul ‘Very Optimistic’ About Obamacare Repeal
Sen. Rand Paul (R-Ky.) went golfing over the weekend with President Donald Trump. During the outing, the two discussed the GOP’s plans for healthcare reform, Fox News reported. Paul, who was harshly criticized the Republican healthcare plan proposed and rejected last month, says he feels “very optimistic” about the full repeal of the Obama-era Affordable Care Act, also known as Obamacare.
5. Colombia Needs Your Prayers
Powerful flooding and landslides devastated the Colombian city of Mocoa on Friday. Search and rescue workers were deployed immediately, but the damage was profound. As of Sunday, the death toll had surpassed 250, ABC News reported. In a speech that day, Colombian President Juan Manuel Santos called the natural disaster “unprecedented,” sweeping away “whole neighborhoods” in the city of 40,000.
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Other Must-Read Stories:
—Why the Mystery Surrounding Supreme Court Nominee Neil Gorsuch’s Faith is Sparking Debate
—‘Evangelicals are Ecstatic’: Christian Leaders and Activists React to Trump’s Supreme Court Pick
—This Father-Daughter Duo is Driving Mississippi State’s NCAA Success