The Roar keeps you updated with local news, recent events and interesting stories ― everything you need to know for this week.
1. In the races for the Republican and Democratic nominations this week in South Carolina and Nevada respectively, Donald Trump and Hillary Clinton carried the states, each with a sizable margin. As a result of placing fourth in South Carolina, Jeb Bush ended his campaign.
2. The FBI, with the help of a court injunction, has ordered Apple to develop and release software that would allow the government to access any iCloud account in context of unlocking the San Bernardino shooter’s phone. Though Apple has unlocked phones in the past for the government, the FBI has never been able to unlock any phone they wished with their own technology.
3. Pop singer Kesha, known for “Tik Tok”, lost a court battle this week to end her contract with Sony amongst allegations that producer Dr. Luke sexually assaulted her. Celebrities such as Taylor Swift and Lady Gaga are donating money and voicing support for Kesha.
4. Uber driver Jason Dalton killed six people in Kalamazoo, Michigan yesterday in a mass shooting. Two others were injured.
5. The US and Russia have agreed to a partial cease-fire in Syria; the two countries, with a history of antagonism, will establish a hotline to aid in cooperation.
6. Great Britain will hold a referendum on June 23rd to determine whether to leave the European Union. The proposed break has caused a split in the majority Conservative party between Prime Minister David Cameron and influential Mayor of London Boris Johnson.
7. On Saturday, an enormous cyclone hit the island nation of Fiji, killing 18 people. A 30-day state of emergency has been declared by Prime Minister Frank Bainimarama.
8. Last Tuesday, early voting for Brazos County began. This vote will not only determine local elections, such as the race between Jess Fields and John Raney, but also the candidate for president in the largest primary election of the year called “Super Tuesday.” Get more information here.
9. Junior Sujay Shankar won first prize in materials science at the Austin Energy Regional Science Fair and qualified for the state and international science fairs to be held in May in Phoenix, Arizona.
10. Cuban president Raul Castro has announced that he will send 9,000 soldiers to combat Zika virus in South America. The virus has been linked to microcephaly, or a condition that affects the size of an infant’s head.
