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Yasmeen Khan, Narrating: Good morning! It’s Thursday, March 7th. I’m Yasmeen Khan in for Shumita Basu.
This is Apple News Today. Coming up…
Why there’s a lot riding on tonight’s State of the Union address,
how Texas ranchers are reeling from with the impact of a wildfire.
and a remarkable feat in a ship around the world.
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But first, let’s take a quick look at some major stories in the news.
Today marks five months since the Hamas attack on Israel
that sparked a devastating war in Gaza.
In recent days, health officials have grown increasingly concerned
about malnutrition among children in the enclave.
One in six children under two years old in northern Gaza is acutely malnourished,
according to the World Health Organization.
There, the issue is even worse than in the south
where at least some food assistance has arrived.
Already, local health officials told the "Washington Post"
that at least 16 children have died from malnutrition.
Without a ceasefire and more aid, there are concerns about how much worse
the issue could get.
Conflict is also causing a hunger crisis in Sudan,
where a civil war has been ongoing since last April.
"Reuters" recounted the stories of a number of people
struggling with hunger, including a 60-year-old man who had one meal a day…
a lump of dough made of just flour and water.
Aid agencies also say they've had difficulties delivering food
to many areas.
David Miliband, CEO of the International Rescue Committee,
raised his concerns with "Reuters."
David Miliband: So, the greatest risk to the aid operation is the conflict.
And the biggest losers are obviously the civilians
who are suffering from conflict, but also from its consequences.
Khan, Narrating: The war in Sudan has driven more than eight million people from their homes,
making it the world’s largest displacement crisis.
In the United States, Alabama’s governor signed a bill into law
intended to protect IVF patients and providers from legal liability.
This comes after a state Supreme Court ruling that threatened
the future of IVF access.
At least one clinic that had halted services
is planning to resume this week.
But experts say more needs to be done to protect fertility services
in the state.
And yesterday there was an update in the case regarding
an accidental shooting on the set of the movie “Rust,”
which was filming in New Mexico in 2021.
The armorer on set, Hannah Gutierrez Reed, was found guilty
of involuntary manslaughter for failing to ensure that a prop gun
used on set was safe. Her attorney said they will appeal.
The actor Alec Baldwin was rehearsing with it
when it went off and killed the movie’s cinematographer.
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Baldwin is scheduled to face trial this summer
on an involuntary manslaughter charge. Baldwin had previously pleaded not guilty.
Tonight is the State of the Union address, where President Biden is going to have to
cover a lot of domestic and international ground.
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With me to talk about it all is "Apple News" editor Gideon Resnick.
Hi, Gideon.
Gideon Resnick: Hi. Good morning.
Khan: So, this is President Biden's third state of the union.
We know how these things typically go.
You know, there's both performance in these speeches and substance.
Why does this particular speech feel bigger?
Resnick: I think it's in large part because this speech feels like the first moment
of the general election in earnest.
You know, Super Tuesday told us something we already know.
That Trump is going to be the Republican nominee.
And here you have this moment on a large stage for Biden in front of
millions of Americans to begin to offer a contrast of sorts
and really a defense of his incumbency.
So, I think to your point, yes, there will be a typical ticking through
of accomplishments and agenda items. But this speech from a 30,000 foot view
offers a moment of opportunity for Biden while there is a lot of dissatisfaction
showing up for him in polls. It's a chance to say
to the American people, "Hey, look, it's either me or the other guy."
Khan: Yeah. So, there's a lot riding on the speech in that sense.
This address needs to convey confidence and strength. And he is confident.
"The New Yorker" just profiled him and he's got swagger.
Biden says, you know, he's the only one to ever beat Trump and he'll do it again.
Resnick: Right, yeah. And that confidence is nothing new for Biden
and the people around him. But Democratic voters are very, very
anxious about this entire situation.
The polls at the moment are showing that Trump is leading Biden
in a lot of key battleground states.
But look, what Biden and his allies are saying is as this choice becomes clear
to voters, they are going to be able to successfully argue that electing Trump
would put the future of democracy at stake.
Khan: You mentioned the dissatisfaction with Biden, or at least angst among
big portions of the electorate. A lot of that has to do with
specific policy. So on that front, what can we expect to hear
from him tonight?
Resnick: It’s a great question and there is a lot he's going to have to cover.
So, based on reporting from outlets like "NBC News," it seems like Biden
is going to devote some time to Ukraine.
He's going to talk about more, kind of, kitchen table domestic issues
like junk fees that get charged by credit card companies.
Also, abortion and reproductive rights. I think we can almost be certain of that.
First Lady Jill Biden will be sitting next to Kate Cox.
That's the woman from Texas who was denied an abortion
by the state Supreme Court.
Khan: Right.
Resnick: Biden will also talk about legislative accomplishments.
Medicare drug pricing, the Inflation Reduction Act,
jobs more generally, or the state of economy.
And most pressing, Biden's statements on Israel and Gaza.
Those are going to be closely watched. Biden's going to have to do some work here
to address some of the vast dissatisfaction
with his White House's actions thus far, and to talk about what they see
as the future there.
Khan: And of course, there are a lot of optics around speeches like this.
In Biden's case, it happens to be of even greater import because of
questions about his age.
Resnick: Yes, that old question. It's a consistent issue
Biden is confronting. And really, despite the fact that Trump is close
in age to Biden, it's one that's dogging Biden in the polls at the moment.
There was, of course, the special counsel report that kind of
reignited this issue in a manner that the Biden White House found to be
deeply unfair.
So, I think around the State of the Union, Republicans are certainly going to be
looking for any minor mistake or mix up or what have you. And then I think
sympathetic voters to Biden are going to be looking for assurances
that he has the kind of energy, if you will,
to take on someone like Trump again, that he is genuinely ready for this.
But you're right. No doubt about it. The performance factor here is gonna
play a role in the perception of how well Biden did.
Khan: And we see that, too, in the lawmaker
Republicans selected to give their response.
The 42-year-old senator from Alabama, Katie Britt.
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We will be following all of it tonight. Gideon, thanks so much.
Resnick: Of course.
Khan, Narrating: Now to Texas, where wildfires have scorched more than one million acres
over the last week.
The Smokehouse Creek Fire is the state’s largest wildfire on record,
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and it’s still burning, making its way across the Texas Panhandle
and into Oklahoma, leaving a trail of destruction and devastation.
At least two people have been killed. Homes have been destroyed.
And farmers and ranchers have suffered serious losses.
The Texas cattle industry, which is vital to the region,
has lost thousands of livestock in the fire.
Rancher Shane Pennington lost nearly 50 cattle.
He told "CNN," those that survived suffered through incredible pain.
He spoke about their condition, which, as a warning, does get graphic.
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Shane Pennington: This is one little calf here. I don't know if he's gonna be alright.
His feet are burned really bad. A lot of them have been blinded by it.
It burned their eyelashes, eyelids, everything.
And it just burned all the hair off of them. Their feet are coming off,
their hooves. They're bloody. It burned their udders.
And, you know, even if they survive it, more than likely
they're going to get pneumonia, they're going to get sick,
they're going to die. We've already had to put some down.
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Khan, Narrating: The fire has put his livelihood, and that of other cattle ranchers,
at risk. More than 85 percent of the cattle industry in Texas
is concentrated in the Panhandle. Some counties there
have more cows than people. And raising cattle is the most profitable
form of agriculture in the state, worth over $15 billion dollars.
Conditions in Texas had improved over the last few days.
Temperatures dropped, and some parts of the Panhandle even got some snow
bringing minor relief from the fires. As of yesterday, the Smokehouse Creek Fire
was about 44 percent contained, but there have been renewed worries
about dry and windy conditions. The head of agriculture for the state
told "CNN," the threat is far from over for ranchers.
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Texas Head of Agriculture: There’s no water for all the livestock.
we've lose over 3,000 head which is a very small number
that will double or triple easily.
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Khan, Narrating: Experts say it will take years for the land, and Texas’s cattle industry,
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to recover.
And, finally, a remarkable feat in the sport of sailing.
Early this morning, sailor Cole Brauer became the first American woman
to complete a non-stop race around the world totally alone.
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Khan, Narrating: Brauer has been at sea since October, where she had to be her own mechanic,
medic and her own company.
She spoke with "NBC" a few days ago before crossing the finish line in Spain.
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Cole Brauer: As solo sailors, you have to be able to do everything.
You need to be able to get up, even when you’re so exhausted.
And you have to be able to fix the boat.
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Khan, Narrating: At 29 years old, Brauer is the youngest person
to finish this race, known as the Global Solo Challenge.
It’s so tough that more than half of the field dropped out.
And she was the only woman competing.
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She hopes her record-finish will inspire more women
to get into the male-dominated sport.
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Brauer: It would be amazing if there was just one, one other girl that saw me
and said, "Oh, I can do that too."
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Khan, Narrating: You can find all these stories and more in the Apple News app.
And if you’re already listening in the News app right now,
a Narrated Article is coming up next.
A writer for "Vanity Fair" shares her unusual childhood story,
Spent swimming at the famous Grotto at the Playboy Mansion
where she was best friends with two of Hugh Hefner’s children.
If you’re listening in the Podcasts app, follow Apple News+ Narrated
to find that story. And I’ll be back with the news tomorrow.
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