A leading House official is sounding the alarm over an alleged Russian space threat.

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A leading House official is sounding the alarm over an alleged Russian space threat.

That requires explanation.

It does. Yesterday, House Intel Committee chair Rep. Mike Turner (R-OH) issued a rare public warning, urging lawmakers to review a “serious national security threat.” He also called on President Biden to declassify the information so lawmakers, the White House, and allies could “openly discuss the actions necessary to respond.” For obvious reasons, that heightened concerns.

So what's the threat?

This info isn’t yet declassified. Still, sources for ABC and the Washington Post indicate this may be about a Russian threat to detonate nuclear weapons in space, potentially targeting satellites and harming communications. Sources say the satellite is still in development and hasn’t been deployed. It's worth noting the Outer Space Treaty of 1976 — which Russia, the US, and the UK signed — bans all nuclear weapons in space.

But this is being addressed?

The US has reportedly filled in its European allies on the matter. National security adviser Jake Sullivan said he’s planning to brief the Gang of Eight today — referring to top congressional leadership from both parties, including the intel committee leaders. Meanwhile, House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-LA) said there is “no need for public alarm.” Rep. Jim Himes (D-CT), a ranking member on the Intel Committee, described the classified info as “significant,” but “not a cause for concern.”

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It’s not every day that a leading House official calls on the president to declassify top secret info. Yesterday’s announcement put the public on edge — and raised new questions about Russia’s military capabilities amid its ongoing war in Ukraine and an uncertain future for NATO.

Where people are mourning…

Kansas City. Yesterday, a shooting at the end of the Chiefs' Super Bowl victory parade left one person dead and 22 others injured, including at least eight children. It’s still not clear what happened, but authorities said they took three people into custody, two of whom were armed. The parade attracted at least 1 million attendees. Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes posted on X, “Praying for Kansas City.” The Kansas City Chiefs organization called the shooting a “senseless act of violence.” President Biden said the shooting “cuts deep in the American soul” and called on Congress to pass gun reform legislation.

What’s ringing warning bells…

The CDC. The agency said at least 128 pregnant women and 25 children under the age of two got the wrong RSV vaccines. Last year, two vaccines were made available for the first time ever to protect against respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), a disease that's pretty common but can be especially dangerous for infants and older adults. However, only one RSV vaccine (Pfizer’s Abrysvo) was approved for use in pregnancy. Experts reportedly said doctors might've confused the vaccines because their names are similar (the other vaccine's name is Arexvy). Others apparently thought the shots were interchangeable. There is reportedly little to no information on how using the wrong RSV vaccine could affect pregnant people and young kids, since it hasn’t been studied. The CDC said there hasn’t been any confirmation of serious harm. 

Where there’s been a shakeup…

The tech world. Yesterday, Nvidia overtook Google's parent company Alphabet on Wall Street, becoming the third-most valuable company on the US market, behind Microsoft and Apple. Nvidia has built a name for itself by designing chips that can be used in artificial intelligence systems. Some of its biggest customers: Microsoft and Meta. Amid all the AI hype, Nvidia is now worth about $1.83 trillion. Still, don’t count Alphabet out yet as Google reportedly launched Goose, an internal AI language model that can help employees with coding.

…Oh and speaking of trillionaires, bitcoin has pushed past a $1 trillion market cap for the first time since 2021. That could be thanks to the introduction of bitcoin ETFs.

What could have the gym bros in a tizzy...

Beef rice. Yesterday, a new study showed researchers created a new type of hybrid rice using beef muscle and fat cells. Why? Researchers think it'll have a significantly lower carbon footprint and be a more cost-effective source of protein than conventional beef. As for taste, the lead researcher hyped it up as a “pleasant and novel” experience. Critics say the rice would need to be supplemented with other forms of protein or provide a higher amount in order to replace meat. 

Whose music is now on country radio…

Beyoncé's. This week, an Oklahoma radio station changed its tune and played Queen B’s new country single “Texas Hold ‘Em.” It comes after the station originally said it couldn’t play the song because it’s a “country music station” — prompting a wave of criticism. It’s sparked a larger conversation about racial diversity in country music.

What got served on Valentine's Day...

Tinder and Hinge.

Who’s ready to break NCAA records…

Caitlin Clark.

While Sydney Sweeney couldn’t stop the “Madame Web” reviews...

Pedro Pascal is now part of another superhero cast: “Fantastic Four.”

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