Academy Awards, Ukraine, March Madness, Jeff Carson: Biggest news you missed

Biden prompts concern after saying Putin ‘can not stay in energy’

Hours after President Joe Biden mentioned Russian President Vladimir Putin “can not stay in energy,” Secretary of State Antony Blinken made clear the USA doesn’t plan to pursue regime change in Russia. “I feel the president, the White Home, made the purpose final night time that, fairly merely, President Putin can’t be empowered to wage battle or have interaction in aggression in opposition to Ukraine or anybody else,” Blinken mentioned Sunday. In a sweeping and forceful speech, Biden on Saturday solid the battle in Ukraine as a part of an ongoing battle for freedom and ended with a blunt name for Putin to be stopped. “For God’s sake, this man can not stay in energy,” Biden mentioned throughout a go to to Warsaw, Poland. Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov responded, “It’s less than the president of the U.S. and less than the People to resolve who will stay in energy in Russia.”

Analysts warned that Biden’s comment may ripple throughout the NATO alliance as Western leaders attempt to get Putin to finish the battle in Ukraine. In a worst-case state of affairs, the Russian chief may broaden the battle on the grounds that he’s defending his nation’s pursuits. 

Greater than 19,000 individuals compelled to flee Boulder wildfire

Fireplace crews on Sunday gained floor on a fast-moving wildfire that had burned inside 1,000 yards of houses a day earlier in Boulder, Colorado. The blaze, which had compelled 19,400 residents to flee Saturday, was 21% contained Sunday morning and most evacuation orders had been lifted. A fast preliminary assault “mixed with all the fuels mitigation remedies that we’ve achieved on this space is among the causes that we’ve had such nice success,” incident commander Mike Smith mentioned Sunday. The location of the wildfire isn’t removed from the placement of a harmful 2021 blaze that destroyed greater than 1,000 houses. Residents have been ordered to evacuate rapidly and keep off roads as firefighters manned the hearth traces.

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Males’s NCAA: No. 15 Saint Peter’s has its Cinderella run ended by UNC

The lads’s NCAA Match could have  4 bluebloods taking part in within the Ultimate 4. Duke and Villanova every superior on Saturday, with the Blue Devils beating Arkansas and the Wildcats beating Houston. Duke’s victory means the Blue Devils can nonetheless win a sixth nationwide championship for legendary coach Mike Krzyzewski, who will retire on the finish of the match. No. 1 seed Kansas defeated No. 10 Miami (Fla.) because of a powerful second half. No. 8 North Carolina secured the final Ultimate 4 spot by defeating No. 15 Saint Peter’s on Sunday, 69-49, organising a matchup with rival Duke in nationwide semifinals.

Academy Awards: Will Kristen Stewart win an Oscar? Ought to Will Smith lastly be topped finest actor?

Netflix’s Jane Campion Western “The Energy of the Canine” heads into the 94th annual Academy Awards airing on Sunday trying like a front-runner with 12 nominations, together with 4 appearing honors. However can it maintain off surging favourite “CODA,” the heartwarming Apple TV+ dramedy? Whereas a number of appearing classes and finest director appear locked up, the races for finest image and finest actress could possibly be nail-biters. “King Richard” star Will Smith is predicted to seize his first Academy Award win for finest actor – although he faces competitors from Andrew Garfield (“tick, tick … BOOM!”) and Denzel Washington (“The Tragedy of Macbeth”), who defeated Smith within the class 20 years in the past. Not solely is there a number once more this yr however there are three: Regina Corridor, Amy Schumer and Wanda Sykes at set to co-host the festivities on the Dolby Theatre in Hollywood. 

US Rep. Jeff Fortenberry of Nebraska publicizes resignation

Republican U.S. Rep. Jeff Fortenberry of Nebraska resigned from workplace on Saturday after a California jury convicted him of mendacity to federal authorities about an unlawful marketing campaign donation from a international nationwide. In a letter to the Home, Fortenberry mentioned he was resigning from Congress, efficient March 31. Fortenberry was indicted in October after authorities mentioned he lied to FBI brokers in two separate interviews about his data of an unlawful $30,000 contribution from his marketing campaign from a international billionaire. Fortenberry’s announcement adopted concerted strain from political leaders in Nebraska and Washington for him to step down. His withdrawal from the first leaves state Sen. Mike Flood because the doubtless GOP nominee.

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It is a compilation of tales from throughout the USA TODAY Community. Contributing: Related Press.