Caw! With two children at his side, Pope Francis released two "peace" doves into St. Petersburg Square on Saturday. As they fluttered away, they were attacked by a seagull and crow, and their "fate is unclear."
Protecting Voting Rights in Washington: Democrats are bringing a bill to vote in the State House this week that would open the door for court challenges to cities that refuse to enact district-based, rather than at-large, elections. This is important in places like Yakima, where the population is 41 percent Latino but there's never been a Latino city council member.
Turmoil in Ukraine Continues: The opposition rejected an offer from the sitting president to fire the country's prime minister, while anti-government protesters "kicked special forces police and cadets out" from the capital's convention center.
Ukraine Solidarity Protest Today: Organized by local Ukranians; it's today at Seattle Center at 2 p.m.
Mall Shooter Identified: Police say the gunman who opened fire with a shotgun in a Maryland mall yesterday, killing two and then himself, is a 19-year-old from Washington D.C.
Chinese Investment in Detroit: It's on the rise.
Meanwhile in China: A prominent dissident who organized small peaceful protests has been sentenced to four years in prison.
This Billionaire Is Scared: Venture capitalist Thomas Perkins wrote a letter to the Wall Street Journal comparing taxes on the rich to the Holocaust and warning of a "Progressive Kristallnacht." (My grandfather survived the real Kristallnacht. Ugh.) Because the Wall Street Journal editorial board is also insane, they published it.
Benign Black Holes: Stephen Hawking suggests black holes may not have event horizons after all. Yay!
World Star Hip Hop's documentary on "Chiraq," drill music, and hope in Chicago: