Moscow massacre, winter storm, and vegan octopus.

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Big Stories

Moscow concert hall massacre

The Islamic State group claimed responsibility for an attack that killed at least 133 people at a Moscow concert hall on Friday night.

• The attack is the deadliest on Russian soil in years. Both Russia and Ukraine have accused each other of being behind the attacks, despite the US presenting evidence that backs up the jihadist’s claims.

• The Islamic State group, specifically IS-K, a Central Asian affiliate, claimed responsibility for the attack. The group's origins lie in Pakistan and Afghanistan, and it has been linked to previous attacks, including some in Afghanistan and Iran.

• Russian President Vladamir Putin said that they detained 11 suspects who were fleeing to Ukraine. Kyiv has strongly denied the claim.

• Since the attack, ISIS has released photos and a body-cam video of the alleged attackers on social media accounts typically affiliated with their terror groups.

Some abducted Nigerian school children freed

At least 137 of the nearly 300 Nigerian children abducted from their school in Kaduna were released.

• The abduction occurred over two weeks ago when gunmen stormed the Kuriga school and took the children into the forests.

• Kidnappings in Nigerian schools have been prevalent, with over 1,400 students abducted since 2014. The recent incident is part of a trend where armed groups target villages and travelers for ransom, primarily in the northwestern and central regions.

• The children were rescued in Zamfara state, but additional hostages remain. President Bola Tinubu vowed to tackle kidnappings without paying ransom during his campaign, but ransom payments are still common.

• Despite knowing the identity of the abductors, arrests in such cases are rare. Victims are usually released through deals with the government or after their families pay a ransom.

Government shutdown close call

President Biden signed a $1.2 trillion spending package after a Senate vote, preventing a government shutdown even though the vote happened two hours past the midnight deadline.

• The Senate's 74-24 vote finalized the bill at 2 am on Saturday, after a night of debates and rejected amendments. President Biden emphasized that Congress's work isn't over and urged the House to pass a bipartisan national security supplemental and a bipartisan border security agreement.

• The budget bill maintains federal spending at 2023 levels. Republicans highlight modest cuts to some agencies and increased funding for border security and the Pentagon. Democrats praise the bill for avoiding policy changes on immigration and abortion.

• Additionally, the bill restricts funding for the central U.N. agency providing aid to Palestinian refugees, amid scrutiny over its alleged involvement in attacks on Israel.

Little Stories

• LSU coach Kim Mulkey criticized and threatened legal action against The Washington Post on Saturday, accusing the paper of pursuing a "hit piece" about her for two years. She said a reporter contacted LSU with over a dozen questions on Tuesday, demanding a response by Thursday, just before their scheduled NCAA tournament game. (More)

• Poland wants an explanation from Russia after one of its missiles briefly entered Polish airspace during a major missile attack on Ukraine. It was Russia's third attack in four days and the second targeting Kyiv. Governor Maksym Kozytskyi reported critical infrastructure damage in the Lviv region without specifying details. However, no deaths or injuries were reported. (More)

• After consecutive unsuccessful drawings, the Powerball and Mega Millions jackpots have surged to a combined $1.9 billion. The Mega Millions prize has reached $1.1 billion, while the Powerball jackpot is $800 million. The next Powerball drawing is today, potentially ranking as the sixth-largest prize in the game's history. (More)

• A powerful winter storm is forecast to impact 14 million people from California to Michigan's Upper Peninsula. Alta, Utah, has already received over 12 inches of snow, while Flagstaff, Arizona, saw 7.3 inches. The storm is intensifying over the central and northern Plains, creating blizzard conditions and hazardous travel from Colorado to Minnesota. Snowfall rates could reach up to 2 inches per hour with 60 mph wind gusts. (More)

• Catherine, the Princess of Wales, revealed she's undergoing treatment after a recent cancer diagnosis. While details of the cancer weren't disclosed, Kensington Palace is confident she will fully recover. The princess disclosed that the cancer was discovered after abdominal surgery in January. She began chemotherapy in late February. (More)

Extra Credit

Watch a time-lapse of leaf-cutter ants doing their job.

Mapping America’s average commute distance. 

New foods to try this week: vegan octopus. 

Europe’s Tree of the Year contest winner.