Search for the submersible: The New York Air National Guard”™s 106th Rescue Wing is part of the international search effort for the missing submersible that was on a mission to visit the wreckage of the Titanic. Five people were on board the vessel when contact was lost. The submersible has a limited supply of oxygen. HC-130J search and rescue aircraft from the New York Air National Guard unit based at Westhampton Beach on Long Island were pressed into service for 900 mile flights to the area of the Atlantic where the search is underway.
Pentagon’s $6.2 billion mistake:Â The Pentagon says it has made a $6.2 billion mistake in determining the value of weapons and supplies sent to Ukraine. The Pentagon says it set prices too high when it did its bookkeeping and therefore it can send additional weapons and supplies to help the Ukrainians in the war against the Russians. The Pentagon had figured the U.S. had sent Ukraine about $40 billion worth of weapons and supplies and since the real value turns out to be less it plans to put additional supplies into the pipeline.
Drones downed:Â Ukrainian air defenses shot down 32 of 35 exploding drones the Russians flew against Ukraine yesterday. Ukraine said the drones got through because of gaps in the country’s air defenses and renewed its call for more defensive weapons from other countries. Heavy ground fighting has continued in eastern Ukraine.
AI discussed:Â President Biden met with a group of leaders in the technology field in San Francisco to discuss artificial intelligence. The administration wants to begin the process of regulating the use of artificial intelligence so that it will be used for good and not for nefarious purposes. Biden said safeguards are needed to prevent the use of artificial intelligence from causing more harm than good.
Batteries fed fire:Â A fire that started in a New York City bike shop and spread to apartments killing four people has been blamed on lithium-ion batteries used to power e-bikes. The batteries apparently exploded. The shop had been previously cited for improperly storing and charging such batteries. The city’s fire commissioner said there have been more than 100 fires in New York City caused by lithium-ion batteries so far this year resulting in 13 deaths.
Judge voids Arkansas law:Â A U.S. District Court judge in Arkansas has issued a permanent injunction against a new state law that banned gender-affirming care such as hormone treatments or surgery for people under 18 years of age. It is the first such law to prohibit treatments for gender identify to be thrown out by a federal judge. Many other Republican-controlled states have passed laws designed to block people from successfully changing their sexual identities and court challenges are taking place.
Max Morath dies: Max Morath, the pianist who brought about a new appreciation of ragtime music, died at the age of 96. Beginning in the 1960s, Morath’s appearances on television and in concert helped to introduce the music of Scott Joplin, Eubie Blake, Jelly Roll Morton and other ragtime composers to new generations.
Cover photo courtesy of Colorado Music Experience
