Good Morning! Today’s edition is 1,329 words, a 5-minute read.

What’s on tap: 

• One of the world’s most prolific blood donors passes

• Pope Francis still in the hospital

• The “old ladies” taking on garbage

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Big Story

Trump’s Tariffs Go Into Effect

President Donald Trump announced that 25% tariffs on imports from Mexico and Canada will begin Today.

• The tariffs have sparked fears of a North American trade war that could increase inflation and slow economic growth. Trump said the measures are meant to force both countries to increase their efforts against fentanyl trafficking and illegal immigration. He also wants to balance trade with both nations and encourage more factories to relocate to the US.

• Both neighboring countries have prepared for possible tariffs. Canadian Foreign Minister Mélanie Joly stated, "If Trump is imposing tariffs, we are ready," noting Canada has prepared $155 billion worth of retaliatory tariffs, with the first $30 billion ready to implement. Meanwhile, Mexico President Claudia Sheinbaum indicated Mexico would also retaliate in response to Trump's actions.

• Many businesses and economists have warned about the potential negative impacts of these tariffs. Companies like Ford and Walmart have said that tariffs could make vehicles and groceries even more expensive. Economic analyses suggest an average family could face price increases of more than $1,000.

• Beyond the Mexico and Canada tariffs, Trump confirmed that tariffs on Chinese imports will double from 10% to 20% as well, and he plans to implement "reciprocal" tariffs in April that would match rates charged by other countries.

Big Story

Prolific Blood Donor Dies

James Harrison, known as "the man with the golden arm," died at age 88 in New South Wales, Australia on February 17.

• Harrison became one of the world's most prolific blood donors, whose rare blood plasma saved over 2 million babies. His remarkable donation journey began at age 18 and continued every two weeks until he was 81. In 2005, he held the world record for most blood plasma donated, a title he maintained until 2022.

• Harrison's blood contained a rare antibody called Anti-D, which is used to make medication for pregnant mothers whose blood might attack their unborn babies. This condition, called Haemolytic Disease of the Fetus and Newborn (HDFN), occurs when a mother's immune system sees her baby's blood cells as a threat and produces antibodies against them. Before anti-D treatments were developed in the mid-1960s, half of all babies diagnosed with this condition died.

• Harrison's commitment to donation helped an estimated 45,000 mothers and babies annually in Australia alone. His own daughter and two grandchildren benefited from anti-D immunizations. Today, Australia has fewer than 200 anti-D donors, highlighting the rarity of Harrison's gift.

• Looking toward the future, the Australian Red Cross Blood Service (Lifeblood) is working with researchers to develop lab-grown anti-D antibodies using cells from Harrison and other donors.

Big Story

Highland Park Shootings Trial

Robert "Bobby" E. Crimo III, the 24-year-old man accused of opening fire at a Fourth of July parade in Highland Park, Illinois, pleaded guilty just before his Monday trial was about to begin.

• The plea surprised the courtroom because he hadn’t previously said he would do so. He now faces life in prison for killing seven people and wounding nearly 50 others in the 2022 mass shooting. Life in prison is the highest possible punishment because Illinois abolished the death penalty in 2011.

• According to police, Crimo spent weeks planning the massacre. On July 4, 2022, he climbed to a rooftop above the parade route and began shooting at spectators below. After the shooting, Crimo disguised himself in women's clothing, blended into the crowd, and escaped. He drove to Wisconsin where he considered staging another attack before returning to Illinois where he was arrested.

• In a related case, Crimo's father pleaded guilty to seven counts of reckless conduct for sponsoring his son's gun license application despite previous concerns about threatening behavior. The father was sentenced to 60 days in prison.

Quick Stories

US News

• Health and Human Services top spokesperson Thomas Corry resigned abruptly after just two weeks on the job. His departure stems from disagreements with Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. and his aides over their management of the agency during a measles outbreak. (More)

• Major US cities reported 3,268 hate crimes in 2024, a 2.7% decrease from 2023's record high—an unexpected drop during an election year. However, anti-Jewish and anti-Muslim incidents continued rising amid the Israel-Hamas conflict. (More)

• A major winter storm will hit many states this week, bringing up to 24 inches of snow to the Rockies and Great Basin. Meanwhile, Southern states face wildfire risks from high winds and temperatures. The storm could cause power outages, affecting 170 million people. (More)

World

• Pope Francis suffered two "acute respiratory insufficiency" attacks Monday, requiring procedures to clear mucus from his airways. Currently hospitalized with double pneumonia since February 14, the Vatican says his condition remains "guarded," meaning he's still in danger. (More)

• Austria formed its first three-party government since World War II on Monday, ending the country's longest wait for a ruling coalition. The centrist alliance between conservatives, Social Democrats, and liberals keeps the Russia-friendly, far-right Freedom Party out of power despite their election win. (More)

• A car drove into a pedestrian area in Mannheim, Germany on Monday, killing two people and injuring up to 25 others. Police have caught the suspect, and the operation is ongoing in the city center. (More)

Business & Economy

• US stock markets closed lower on Monday (S&P -1.76%, Nasdaq -2.64%, Dow -1.48%). Trump’s confirmation of this morning’s tariffs drove losses in the major indexes. (More)

• TSMC, the world's top chip manufacturer, will invest another $100 billion in US production on top of its existing $65 billion Arizona commitment. The company aims to expand beyond Taiwan due to China tensions while supporting US efforts to boost domestic chip production. (More)

• Kroger's CEO and Chairman Rodney McMullen suddenly resigned Monday after the board investigated his personal behavior. The company called his conduct "unacceptable" and against their ethics policy, though it wasn't related to business operations. (More)

Sports & Entertainment

• Swedish pole vaulter Armand Duplantis broke his own world record for the 11th time, clearing 6.27 meters in France. Emmanouil Karalis was second with a Greek record clearance of 6.02 meters as six men cleared 5.91 meters or higher for the first time in a single competition. (More)

• Katherine Legge will become the first woman to race in NASCAR's Cup Series since Danica Patrick when she drives the No. 78 Chevrolet at Sunday's Phoenix event. The 44-year-old hopes to perform well enough to continue racing in NASCAR. (More)

• Coach Jimmy Johnson, 81, is retiring from Fox Sports after 31 years of NFL coverage. The Hall of Famer, who won two Super Bowls and a college national championship, called his time at Fox "the most fun" of his career. (More)

Science, Health, & Tech

• Infants eating varied foods at 9 months had lower food allergy risks by 18 months, especially those with eczema. Babies without family food allergy history who ate diverse foods showed even more protection, according to researchers from Umeå University. (More)

• Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. has changed his position on the measles outbreak, now calling it "serious" after initially downplaying it. He's encouraging parents to discuss vaccinations with doctors after the disease killed an unvaccinated six-year-old in Texas. (More)

• Researchers using drone footage have discovered that narwhals use their long tusks to hunt. This is the first evidence showing how these elusive Arctic whales utilize their spiral tusks for foraging rather than just social displays. (More)

Extra Credit

💰️ Citigroup mistakenly deposits $81T into a customer’s account.

👶 Visualizing the baby boom in seven charts.

🐻‍❄️ Polar bear surrounded by flowers wins The Nature Photography Contest.

🗑️ Check out the “old ladies” taking on garbage.