BOSTON (WBZ NewsRadio) — The headlines may be dominated with consistent updates about coronavirus numbers, measures, and closures. Whether or not they made it into the headlines, there were dozens of other news stories across the world that had nothing to do with the pandemic.
If you're missing the world of non-coronavirus-related news, here's a list of stories from the past week that had absolutely nothing to do with COVID-19.
Christchurch Mosque Shooter Pleaded Guilty
On Thursday, the 29-year-old Australian man charged with fatally shooting 51 people inside two mosques in Christchurch, New Zealand last year pleaded guilty to all charges.
He also pleaded guilty to 40 counts of attempted murder, and a terrorism charge. His trial is set for June 2nd.
Dakota Access Pipeline Doubles Oil
There were months of protests during the controversial pipeline's construction in late 2016, due to its proximity to the Standing Rock Sioux Reservation. On Wednesday, tribal advocates scored a win when a federal judge ordered a full environmental review of the Dakota Access pipeline.
However, on Friday, the Iowa Utilities Board issued an order to the Texas-based owners of the pipeline, allowing them to increase the amount of oil that can flow through the state from 55,000 barrels per day to 1.1 million barrels per day.
AG Barr Against Connecticut's Trans Student Athletes
On Tuesday, the U.S. Attorney General Bill Bar got involved in a federal civil rights lawsuit that is seeking to stop transgender athletes from competing in girls' competitions in Connecticut Interscholastic sports. Barr signed a statement of interest regarding the case this week, which means he is arguing against the Connecticut Interscholastic Athletic Conference's current policy of allowing students to compete as the gender with which they identify.
The Conference says with that policy, it is following a state law requiring all high school students be treated according to their gender identity. It says its current policy is also in accordance with Title IX, the federal law that allows girls equal educational opportunities, including in athletics.
Jodi Arias' Murder Conviction Is Upheld
On Tuesday, an Arizona appeals court upheld the murder conviction of Jodi Arias, who was sentenced to life in prison for the brutal killing of her ex-boyfriend in 2008.
Arias' defense had appealed on the grounds that the media publicity of her case, and a hostile prosecutor, had deprived her of a fair trial. However this week, the three-judge panel disagreed, saying they concluded that "Arias was convicted based upon the overwhelming evidence of her guilt, not as a result of prosecutorial misconduct." Arias, who admitted to the shooting during her trial but said it was in self-defense, was found guilty of first-degree murder in 2013.
North Korea Launches Projectiles
On Sunday, North Korean forces launched two more projectiles into the Sea of Japan, according to South Korean officials.
That marks the 6th unidentified projectile launched by Kim Jong Un's regime in the past month. U.S. officials have also confirmed knowledge of the projectile.
Meghan Markle Is Coming To Disney
After stepping back from royal life with her husband Prince Harry, Meghan Markle is getting back to acting. She has been named the next narrator of Disney's upcoming live-action documentary, Elephants.
The company made the announcement on twitter, adding that the movie will be available to stream on Disney+ beginning April 3.
A River In Ontario Runs Red
Canadian Environmental authorities got some strange phone calls last week that sounded like a tale from Biblical times; a river in Mississauga was running blood-red.
In a tweet, the Peel Public Works said it was due to roughly 100 gallons of red ink being spilled into the waterway. While they still haven't determined where the ink came from, the agency tweeted that "the Ministry of the Environment and Conservation and Parks are on site and cleanup is underway."
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