Monday Scoop: Easter Bombings
The big story…
Easter Sunday Attacks Kill 290 in Sri Lanka
Several bombs placed in hotels and churches killed at least 290 people and injured more than 500 in Sri Lanka on Easter Sunday. It is believe that seven suicide bombers participated in the attacks at 3 churches and 3 hotels. At least 24 people have been arrested in connection with the attacks which are believed to have been planned and carried out by a radical Islamist terrorist group called National Thowheeth Jama’ath.
More than a week prior to the attacks, an intelligence memo warned that a possible attack by the group might occur, leaving some wondering if preventive measures could have been taken. To stop the spread of misinformation following the attacks, the Sri Lankan government has blocked the use of Facebook and WhatsApp in the country indefinitely. The U.S. State Department has put out a travel warning for Americans wishing to go to Sri Lanka, fearing the possibility of other attacks.
In global news…
TV Actor and Comedian Wins Ukraine Presidential Election
The TV star and comedian Volodymyr Zelenskiy has won Ukraine’s runoff presidential election earning 73% of the votes counted. Zelenskiy, who has no previous political experience—unless you count playing the president on TV—faces the challenging task of uniting the eastern and western parts of the country as well as improving relations with neighboring Russia.
In politics…
NYC Passes Its Own Green New Deal to Combat Man-Made Climate Change
The New York City council passed its own version of the Green New Deal to combat man-made climate change as well as to transition towards renewable energies. Signed by Mayor Bill de Blasio and passed by 45 members of the 51 membered legislative city council, the Climate Mobilization Act is a bundle of 10 bills that will maintain the nation’s largest city in line with greenhouse emissions reduction targets set by the Paris Climate Agreement as well as other international climate accords. Read more in Duane Paul Murphy’s report for CMN.
In technology…
Instagram to Possibly Hide Like Counts
Instagram is testing a new version of the platform where the “like counts” for each post are hidden. This leaves the focus on what users are actually sharing instead of how popular they are. TBD on what this will mean for the influencer industry. What are your thoughts?
Trending today…
Notre Dame Picture
An American tourist snapped this picture right before the Notre Dame fire and was able to find the father, thanks to Twitter.
Last but not least…
Cage the Elephant Dominates Once Again
In a vastly different manner from Tell Me I’m Pretty, their fourth studio album from 2015, yet a completely recognizable sound, Cage the Elephant produces another potential Grammy winner album spanning 13 songs. As the band released three singles (“Ready To Let Go,” House of Glass,” and “Night Running”) before the April 19 release date, any song on Social Cues could have been a high-praised single, destined to be overplayed on any alternative radio station. Read more in Adam Shay’s review for CMN.
Today’s Morning Scoop was made possible by Natalia Kolenko, Adam Shay, Duane Paul Murphy, and the CMN Staff. Happy Earth Day! Here are some of the greatest pictures taken of our planet and some cute animations as well. P.S. Was this newsletter forwarded by a friend? Subscribe here to get the Morning Scoop straight to your inbox every day.
