Nearly 300,000 Ukrainians can stay in the U.S.; transgender women athletes banned in Iowa; weekend picks to watch and read

Plus, a 19-year-old testifies why he reported his father, who participated in the Capitol insurrection [View this email online]( [NPR]( by Suzanne Nuyen First up David Zalubowski/AP Here's what we're following today: The Department of Homeland Security has given temporary protected status to tens of thousands of Ukrainians already living in the U.S. The status will allow the approximately 30,000 Ukrainians who are temporarily in the U.S. to [stay and work]( legally for 18 months. A Ukrainian power plant is now under Russian control after a fraught night. The complex, the largest nuclear power plant in Europe, came under Russian shelling on Thursday and a fire broke out, [prompting fears of radioactive damage](. Transgender girls and women are no longer allowed to participate in female sports in the state of Iowa. Gov. Kim Reynolds [signed the law]( which applies to K-12 schools and community colleges as well as colleges and universities affiliated with the NCAA and NAIA. An international team of scientists published two papers with the strongest evidence yet pointing to a market in Wuhan as the origin of the coronavirus. The papers conclude that the virus most likely j[umped from a caged wild animal]( to humans. Nineteen-year-old Jackson Reffitt testified against his father in the first trial related to the Jan 6. insurrection. Guy Reffitt faces five criminal charges, including weapons offenses and obstruction, for allegedly [threatening Jackson and his younger sister]( to keep quiet about the siege. Jackson said it "felt pretty gross" to report his father but it was "better safe than sorry." --------------------------------------------------------------- Newsletter continues after sponsor message --------------------------------------------------------------- Today's listen Gregory Warner In the week since Russia invaded Ukraine, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy's bravery — and his one-liners — have captured the world's attention. We revisit a 2019 episode of Rough Translation to examine the comedy competition where Zelenskyy first honed his skills. 🎧 [Listen to the episode here]( or [read the story](. --------------------------------------------------------------- Weekend picks Jonathan Olley/Warner Bros. Check out the films and books on [our critics]( playlists this weekend. The newest Batman movie from Matt Reeves, starring Robert Pattinson goes back to basics, bringing viewers something that looks and feels more like a [Batman story you could pick up in a comic book shop]( today than any previous Batman film has managed to achieve. Amanda Seyfried plays disgraced Theranos founder CEO Elizabeth Holmes in The Dropout. The show shines most brightly when it [leans into the drama and darker comedy]( and focuses not on Theranos' crimes, but on everyone who let them happen. Elena Medel's novel The Wonders follows two women, separated in time but facing similar class and gender dynamics. It explores t[he struggles of motherhood]( especially when those mothers are also facing poverty and dealing with men who take advantage --------------------------------------------------------------- Before you go Bernat Armangue/AP - Russian cats are the latest population to feel the wrath of the global reaction to the invasion of Ukraine. Fédération Internationale Féline (FIFe) is [banning Russian cats from its competitions]( for the next three months. - A mysterious hunk of metal leftover from a rocket is about to smash into our moon. A lunar crater-to-be is likely to be made by [part of a Chinese spacecraft]( launched in 2014. - The Smithsonian has announced a new initiative aimed at preserving cultural and historical touchstones from Ukraine as residents flee the country. The institution's Cultural Rescue Initiative is in touch with people in the country who specialize in [preserving cultural heritage]( in times of crisis --------------------------------------------------------------- Stream your local NPR station. Visit NPR.org to find your local station stream. [Find a Station]( --------------------------------------------------------------- Enjoying this newsletter? Forward to a friend! They can [sign up here](. Looking for more great content? [Check out all of our newsletter offerings]( — including Music, Politics, Health and more! You received this message because you're subscribed to Daily News emails. This email was sent by National Public Radio, Inc., 1111 North Capitol Street NE, Washington, DC 20002 [Unsubscribe]( | [Privacy Policy]( [NPR logo]