Forecasters raise expectations for economy in 2024; Alabama lawmakers look for IVF fix; 'One Love' tops box office

Episode Description

On the version of Hot off the Wire posted Feb. 26 at 7:30 a.m. CT:

RAFAH, Gaza Strip (AP) — Human Rights Watch says Israel is not complying with an order issued by the United Nations’ top court because it is failing to provide urgently needed aid to desperate people in the Gaza Strip. The rights group's accusation comes one month after a landmark ruling in The Hague ordered Israel to moderate its war.

WASHINGTON (AP) — An active-duty member of the U.S. Air Force was critically injured after setting himself ablaze outside the Israeli Embassy in Washington, D.C., while declaring that he “will no longer be complicit in genocide."

VATICAN CITY (AP) — Pope Francis has canceled his engagements Monday morning due to persistent but mild flu symptoms. The Vatican press office made the announcement in a short statement on Monday, adding that the pontiff did not have a fever.

EDMOND, Okla. (AP) — Vigils took place across the nation for Oklahoma teenager Nex Benedict, who died the day after a fight in a high school bathroom. Benedict was a nonbinary student who said they were the target of bullying. Vigils were held at locations including Boston, New York, Minneapolis and Huntington Beach, California over the weekend. Others were held or planned in several states including Washington, New Jersey, New York and Texas.

WASHINGTON (AP) — President Joe Biden will convene the top four congressional leaders at the White House on Tuesday to discuss the emergency aid package for Ukraine and Israel, as well as avoiding a government shutdown next month.

NEW YORK (AP) — This year looks to be a much better one for the U.S. economy than business economists were forecasting just a few months ago. That's according to a survey released Monday by the National Association for Business Economics. The economy looks set to grow 2.2% this year after adjusting for inflation. That’s up from an earlier forecast of 1.3%.

In other news:

Off to Michigan, Nikki Haley is staying in the race despite former President Donald Trump's easy primary win in South Carolina.
Trump says his criminal indictments boosted his appeal to Black voters.
Facing backlash over state supreme court IVF ruling, Alabama lawmakers look for a fix.
Warren Buffett tells investors to ignore Wall Street pundits while paying tribute to Charlie Munger.
A private U.S. spacecraft is on its side on the moon with some antennas covered up, the company says.
"One Love" receives more love at the box office, claiming No. 1 spot for second straight week, "Oppenheimer," Lily Gladstone win at 30th Screen Actors Guild Awards and more entertainment news.
In sports: One of the NCAA's top men's teams wins on the road, the top ranked team in women's college hoops remains unbeaten, the Kings are among 11 NBA winners, the NHL's points leader surpasses 100 for the season, NASCAR is in Atlanta and the PGA Tour has a first-time winner.
What killed Flaco the owl? New York zoologists are testing for toxins and cite disease as contributing factors.
"Totally cold" is not too cold for winter swimmers competing in a frozen Vermont lake.
In this week's religion roundup: Trump tells religious broadcasters he'll defend Christianity against threats from the left and a woman who says she was abused by a famous Jesuit demands transparency.

—The Associated Press

About this program

Host Terry Lipshetz is managing editor of the national newsroom for Lee Enterprises. Besides producing the daily Hot off the Wire news podcast, Terry conducts periodic interviews for this Behind the Headlines program, co-hosts the Streamed & Screened movies and television program and is the former producer of Across the Sky, a podcast dedicated to weather and climate.

Lee Enterprises produces many national, regional and sports podcasts. Learn more here.

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Hot Off The Wire is a collection of news, sports and entertainment reports. The program is produced by Lee Enterprises with audio provided by The Associated Press.