US News
FBI Was Told About Wannabe Shooter with Same Name As Florida’s
Bureau agents were made aware that a YouTube poster under the handle “nikolas cruz” had threatened to commit a mass shooting several months before Wednesday’s massacre in Parkland. Ben Bennight drew their attention to a YouTube comment the actual shooter apparently posted in September, writing, “Im going to be a professional high school shooter.” Meanwhile, Cruz had shared photos of himself with guns on Instagram.—The Washington Post
Bannon Chatted with Mueller for Days
The former White House chief strategist reportedly appeared before Robert Mueller’s special counsel team over the course of several days this week, providing around 20 hours of insight into what he knows. But Bannon was less cooperative with the House Intelligence Committee on Thursday, mostly just answering questions that had been vetted by the White House.—NBC News
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Two Arrested After Alleged Bomb Plot Thwarted in NYC
Mayor Bill de Blasio said law enforcement officials prevented a possible terrorist attack in New York City after 27-year-old twins Christian and Tyler Toro were arrested. Bomb-making materials were found at their apartment in the Bronx, along with a note that read: “Under the full moon the small ones will know terror.” De Blasio said investigators had “likely saved many, many lives.”—The New York Times
EPA Chief Travels First Class Now to Avoid ‘Profanities’
Henry Barnet, director of criminal enforcement at the Environment Protection Agency (EPA), said agency boss Scott Pruitt was forced to fly first class because of the verbal abuse he received at airports. Barnet said Pruitt had experienced “profanities being yelled at him.” One passenger approached him and shouted: “Scott Pruitt, you’re fucking up the environment.”—Politico
International News
Turkey and US Talk Teaming Up Against Syria
US secretary of state Rex Tillerson met leading Turkish officials including President Tayyip Erdoğan in Ankara Friday in an effort to resolve their dispute over simultaneous military incursions in northern Syria. Turkey has reportedly suggested the two countries’ forces could work together, so long as the US-backed YPG Kurdish fighters left the area.—Reuters
Norovirus Strikes at the Winter Olympics
Two Swiss skiers have been diagnosed with the contagious virus and isolated from the rest of the competitors in Pyeongchang, South Korea. More than 200 people are said to have caught the virus, which causes vomiting and diarrhea, and a group of 1,200 security officials were removed after some contracted it.—BBC News
Everything Else
Jeffrey Tambor Axed from ‘Transparent’
Amazon Studios fired the show’s star after investigating sexual harassment allegations against him. Tambor said he was “profoundly disappointed” by the decision and called the company’s inquiries “deeply flawed and biased.”—VICE/Hollywood Reporter
Lady Gaga Made $95 Million on Tour
Live Nation revealed the star sold almost 842,000 tickets to her Joanne World Tour, which was cut short when Gaga fell ill. The singer’s health problems may or may not stop her from going through with a residency in Las Vegas planned for the end of 2018.—Billboard
Run the Jewels Named Record Store Day Ambassadors
The hip-hop duo agreed to officially represent this year’s celebration of independent record stores on April 21. El-P and Killer Mike revealed their new role with a spoof news report about an alien invasion.—Rolling Stone
Kendrick Lamar Drops Another ‘Black Panther’ Video
“King’s Dead,” featuring Jay Rock and Future, is the latest cut from the Marvel movie soundtrack to get visual treatment. The artists perform on top of palm trees and offices in the clip.—Noisey
FCC Boss Investigated by His Own Agency
The FCC’s inspector general has reportedly begun official inquiries into director Ajit Pai and whether he “improperly pushed” to gut media consolidation rules. Pai’s changes allowed a merger between Sinclair Broadcasting and Tribune Media.—Motherboard
Wes Anderson Says Studio Ghibli Inspired His New Movie
The US director said the films of Akira Kurosawa and legendary Japanese animator Hayao Miyazaki helped him create Isle of Dogs. “With Miyazaki you get nature and you get moments of peace,” said Anderson. “That inspired us quite a lot.”—i-D
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