• A former Russian spy and his daughter were attacked in southern England on Sunday, and both victims remain unconscious in critical but stable condition.  The exact substance used in the attack has yet to be identified, but Prime Minister Theresa May has said that Britain will “respond appropriately” if evidence indicated that Moscow sponsored the act. [Reuters]
  • Alexa-enabled devices have been malfunctioning this week, with the virtual assistant spontaneously laughing without any evident prompting.  Amazon is aware of the issue and is working to resolve the problem. [Ars Technica]
  • President Trump signed orders implementing heavy tariffs on steel (25%) and aluminum (10%), which will go into effect in 15 days. Senator Jeff Flake has stated that he is drafting legislation to nullify the move, which is largely opposed by both parties. [BBC]
  • Global political, business and environmental leaders have gathered in Mexico for the World Ocean Summit this week, addressing in part the threat to more than three quarters of the world’s coral reefs. [Al Jazeera]
  • Despite a rush to consolidate support, dissenting voices continue to erupt in the Chinese legislature in the face of proposed constitutional changes that would eliminate term limits for president Xi Jinping.  A vote is planned for Sunday that would abolish the country’s limit of two five-year terms, in place since 1982. [New York Times]

FACT OF THE WEEK: International Women’s Day, celebrated March 8, was first held in New York on February 28, 1909, and organized by the Socialist Party of America at the suggestion of Theresa Malkiel. [Sally M. Miller, From Sweatshop Worker to Labor Leader: Theresa Malkiel, a Case Study (American Jewish History Volume 68, 1978)]