Senate Republicans stand firm against Scalia replacement

Senate Republican leaders and Senate Judiciary Committee Republicans said on Tuesday that they would not consider any nominees to replace Antonin Scalia on the Supreme Court. The Republicans on the committee issued a letter stating they would reject any confirmation hearings, according to The New York Times.

Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) said a nomination is within President Barack Obama’s right, but he said he thinks Obama should “let the people decide.”

Obama has said he will continue in choosing a nominee.

More: Senate Republicans keep rank against replacement

 

Sea levels are rising at fastest rate in centuries

Scientists reported on Monday that quickly rising seas are causing the increase of tidal flooding in coastal towns. Sea levels are rising at the fastest rate since at least the beginning of ancient Rome, according to The New York Times.

If the rate stays this high, scientists said sea levels could rise by three to four feet by 2100. By the 22nd century, many coastal cities will likely be abandoned.

Scientists said waters would be rising less rapidly and perhaps falling if there were not human emissions.

More: Sea levels at historical high

 

Cruz fires top aide

Sen. Ted Cruz (R-Texas) spent Monday apologizing for a misleading video of Sen. Marco Rubio (R-Fla.) posted to social media on Sunday by one of Cruz’s top aides. The aide was Cruz’s chief spokesman, Rick Tyler. Cruz fired him on Monday, according to The New York Times.

Cruz’s campaign has been criticized lately for presenting misleading information, despite portraying the senator as a trustworthy candidate.

More: Cruz gets blow to character

 

Denny Hamlin wins Daytona 500

Racecar driver Denny Hamlin took home the trophy at the Daytona 500 on Sunday by the narrowest margin in the race’s history. Hamlin beat Martin Truex Jr. by 0.01 of a second.

It was also the first time a Toyota has been the winning vehicle, according to The New York Times. It was Hamlin’s 11th Daytona 500. Favorites Chase Elliott and Dale Earnhardt Jr. did not finish.

More: Daytona 500 sees milestone finish

 

Trump and Clinton win on Saturday

Business mogul Donald Trump beat his closest opponents by a 10 percent margin in the South Carolina primary on Saturday. Former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton defeated Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders by roughly 5 percent after a hard loss in New Hampshire, according to The New York Times.

Senators Ted Cruz (R-Texas) and Marco Rubio (R-Fla.) were virtually tied for second place as they try to establish themselves as the alternative to Trump. Minority voters came out for Clinton in the Nevada caucuses, who were not drawn to Sanders’ messages against Wall Street.

More: Trump wins in South Carolina, Clinton declares victory in Nevada

 

Harper Lee dies at 89

One of the most well-known American novelists, Harper Lee, died at the age of 89 on Friday in Monroeville, Alabama. Her first novel, “To Kill A Mockingbird,” sold 40 million copies and was an instant success, wining the Pulitzer Prize for fiction the year after its publication.

A nephew said Lee died in her sleep at an assisted living facility, according to The New York Times. While “To Kill A Mockingbird” was published in 1960, Lee’s second book, “Go Set A Watchman,” was not published until 2015, after it was discovered among Lee’s papers.

Syracuse University alumnus Aaron Sorkin is set to adapt “To Kill A Mockingbird” to script for Broadway for the 2017-18 season.

More: Harper Lee dies in hometown

 

Pope Francis criticizes Trump’s campaign

On Wednesday, Pope Francis said business mogul Donald Trump is “not Christian” due to Trump’s desire to build a wall between the United States and Mexico. Francis said this on his way back to Rome after a six-day trip to Mexico.

Trump called the comment “disgraceful” and “unbelievable,” according to The New York Times. He added that the pope would wish Trump were the president if the Vatican were attacked by ISIS.

More: Francis calls Trump “not Christian”

 

Judge orders Apple to “unlock” phone

On Feb. 16, a California judge ordered Apple to help the FBI “unlock” an iPhone used by one of the San Bernardino attackers. The U.S. government and Apple have been in discussion over the issue for months, according to The New York Times.

FBI experts say that they see no way to access the phone without Apple’s help. Apple CEO Tim Cook said on Wednesday that the company will continue to resist the order, as opening access to that phone would jeopardize the privacy of all iPhone users.

More: Apple stays resistant to FBI

 

New leadership at ABC Entertainment

Paul Lee, president of ABC Entertainment, resigned under pressure on Wednesday, according to The New York Times. Lee had been clashing with Ben Sherwood, president of the Disney-ABC Television Group, over creative involvement and programming strategy.

Channing Dungey, former drama chief at ABC, will take over Lee’s prime-time responsibilities. She will be the first black network president.

Patrick Moran will take over Lee’s duties at ABC Studios, where he was previously executive vice president.

More: Shake-up at ABC

Published on February 23, 2016 at 11:27 pm

Contact Delaney: dovanwey@syr.edu