US News
House Republicans have unveiled their plan to repeal and (at least partly) replace the Affordable Health Care Act. The mandate for individuals to have health insurance would be scrapped, along with the subsidies that help people on low-incomes buy insurance; they would be replaced by a tax credit system. Four Republican senators have already pledged to vote down any bill that adds millions to the number of uninsured.—The Washington PostUS Starts to Send Anti-Missile System to South Korea
The US military has begun moving the hardware needed for a major missile defense system to South Korea. The first of five components of the Terminal High-Altitude Area Defense system arrived early this week. South Korea's Ministry of National Defense said the two countries would try to make it operational "as soon as possible."—The New York Times
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Chance the Rapper Gives $1 Million to Chicago Public Schools
Still fresh off his Grammy win, Chance the Rapper has announced he is donating $1 million to Chicago Public Schools. In a press conference at Westcott Elementary School, Chance said he wanted to "help cultivate Chicago creative minds." He also criticized the state's governor over education-funding policy.—TIME / Chicago TribuneRepublicans Scrap Rules for Government Contractors
The Senate has voted to ditch a requirement on government contractors to report violations of labor and employment laws when vying for projects. Pushed through by Republicans 49–48 after passing the House, the policy means companies will no longer be obligated to disclose shady or illegal conduct when it comes to wages, discrimination, health and safety in the workplace, and other issues.—ReutersNorth Korea and Malaysia Stop Citizens Leaving
As the beef over Kim Jong-nam's death continues, North Korea announced Tuesday morning that all Malaysian citizens inside the country would be stopped from leaving. The Malaysian prime minister responded by banning all North Koreans inside Malaysia from leaving, too. Only 11 Malaysians are thought to be in North Korea, but around 1,000 North Koreans are in Malaysia.—BBC NewsIraqi Forces Oust ISIS from Mosul Government Offices
Iraqi troops have retaken government facilities—or what's left of them—in Mosul as they attempt to clear ISIS from the western part of the city. An elite team launched a surprise attack overnight, claiming the remnants of the main official building (along with a central bank branch and museum) while killing "tens" of ISIS fighters, according to a military spokesman.—Reuters
Still fresh off his Grammy win, Chance the Rapper has announced he is donating $1 million to Chicago Public Schools. In a press conference at Westcott Elementary School, Chance said he wanted to "help cultivate Chicago creative minds." He also criticized the state's governor over education-funding policy.—TIME / Chicago TribuneRepublicans Scrap Rules for Government Contractors
The Senate has voted to ditch a requirement on government contractors to report violations of labor and employment laws when vying for projects. Pushed through by Republicans 49–48 after passing the House, the policy means companies will no longer be obligated to disclose shady or illegal conduct when it comes to wages, discrimination, health and safety in the workplace, and other issues.—Reuters
International News
As the beef over Kim Jong-nam's death continues, North Korea announced Tuesday morning that all Malaysian citizens inside the country would be stopped from leaving. The Malaysian prime minister responded by banning all North Koreans inside Malaysia from leaving, too. Only 11 Malaysians are thought to be in North Korea, but around 1,000 North Koreans are in Malaysia.—BBC NewsIraqi Forces Oust ISIS from Mosul Government Offices
Iraqi troops have retaken government facilities—or what's left of them—in Mosul as they attempt to clear ISIS from the western part of the city. An elite team launched a surprise attack overnight, claiming the remnants of the main official building (along with a central bank branch and museum) while killing "tens" of ISIS fighters, according to a military spokesman.—Reuters
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Palestinians Protest Killing of Basil al Araj
Palestinian protestors were active in the West Bank city of Ramallah following the killing of 31-year-old Basil al Araj, shot dead by Israeli troops at a house just outside of the city. An Israeli police spokesman accused Araj of "planning an attack against civilians and security forces."—Al JazeeraJay Z Starts Venture Capital Company
Jay Z has launched a venture capital company called Arrive, a new arm of Roc Nation that will develop startups. Arrive will offer "brand services, business development… and capital to drive growth," as announced in a statement—Rolling StoneSteven Spielberg to Make Pentagon Papers Movie
Steven Spielberg is going to direct a movie about the Pentagon Papers scandal, Daniel Ellsberg's leaking of top-secret documents about the Vietnam War in 1971. Meryl Streep and Tom Hanks will star as the Washington Post's publisher and editor.—The Hollywood ReporterMelbourne Introduces Female Crossing Lights
The Australian city of Melbourne will replace male figures with female ones at ten pedestrian crossings in a bid to "reduce unconscious bias." The Committee of Melbourne hopes men and women can be equally represented on the lights.—The GuardianJoey Bada$$ Drops Feisty New Video
Joey Bada$$ has released the video for his forthcoming album's lead single, "Land of the Free." Taking on the current confrontational political climate, the video ends in a showdown with authoritarian figures like politicians and police.—NoiseyMocha Lattes Improve Attention Span, Say Researchers
Researchers at Clarkson University in New York claim the mocha latte is the best drink for boosting your attention span. They say the combination of chocolate and coffee "increases cerebral blood flow, which increases cognition and attention."—MUNCHIES
Palestinian protestors were active in the West Bank city of Ramallah following the killing of 31-year-old Basil al Araj, shot dead by Israeli troops at a house just outside of the city. An Israeli police spokesman accused Araj of "planning an attack against civilians and security forces."—Al Jazeera
Everything Else
Jay Z has launched a venture capital company called Arrive, a new arm of Roc Nation that will develop startups. Arrive will offer "brand services, business development… and capital to drive growth," as announced in a statement—Rolling StoneSteven Spielberg to Make Pentagon Papers Movie
Steven Spielberg is going to direct a movie about the Pentagon Papers scandal, Daniel Ellsberg's leaking of top-secret documents about the Vietnam War in 1971. Meryl Streep and Tom Hanks will star as the Washington Post's publisher and editor.—The Hollywood ReporterMelbourne Introduces Female Crossing Lights
The Australian city of Melbourne will replace male figures with female ones at ten pedestrian crossings in a bid to "reduce unconscious bias." The Committee of Melbourne hopes men and women can be equally represented on the lights.—The GuardianJoey Bada$$ Drops Feisty New Video
Joey Bada$$ has released the video for his forthcoming album's lead single, "Land of the Free." Taking on the current confrontational political climate, the video ends in a showdown with authoritarian figures like politicians and police.—NoiseyMocha Lattes Improve Attention Span, Say Researchers
Researchers at Clarkson University in New York claim the mocha latte is the best drink for boosting your attention span. They say the combination of chocolate and coffee "increases cerebral blood flow, which increases cognition and attention."—MUNCHIES