Daily Briefing: Pentagon launches retaliatory airstrikes

Nicole Fallert, USA TODAY
·5 min read

The U.S. conducted airstrikes in Syria after an American contractor was killed in an Iran-linked drone attack. Also in the news: TikTok CEO Shou Zi Chew testified before Congress as it floats a ban on the Chinese-owned app. Book banning hit a record level last year.

🙋🏼‍♀️ I'm Nicole Fallert, Daily Briefing author. Did you catch the Northern Lights last night?

Now, here we go with Friday's news.

American contractor killed, troops wounded in Iran-linked drone attack in Syria

An American contractor was killed and five U.S. troops and a second U.S. contractor were wounded when a suspected Iran-linked drone attacked a coalition military base in northeast Syria late Thursday, the Pentagon said in a statement. The Pentagon said it responded to the attack by launching retaliatory airstrikes on facilities used by groups affiliated with Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps. "No group will strike our troops with impunity," U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin said in a separate statement. He said the airstrikes were conducted in response to Thursday's attack as well as a series of recent attacks that have targeted coalition forces in Syria.  Read more

TikTok boss pressed for answers in tense hearing

Both Democrats and Republicans have been increasingly concerned over TikTok's parent company, ByteDance, due to its ties to the Chinese government. Much of Thursday's congressional hearing focused on TikTok's handling of private user data and security practices.

The takeaway: TikTok CEO Shou Zi Chew tried to convince a skeptical Congress the app poses no danger to national security.

  • What happens to personal data? When asked whether TikTok sold data to "anyone," such as the Chinese government, Chew said he “can get back to” the lawmakers with details.

  • Committee members grew frustrated as Chew repeatedly avoided clear yes or no answers to their inquiries. “I think quite frankly your testimony has raised more questions for me than answers,” Rep. Lisa Blunt Rochester, D-Del., told Chew.

  • What is Project Texas? Chew told lawmakers that the app is taking steps to protect user data through “Project Texas," a plan to store U.S. user data on American soil in Texas.

TikTok CEO Shou Zi Chew testifies Thursday, March 23, 2023, on Capitol Hill in Washington.
TikTok CEO Shou Zi Chew testifies Thursday, March 23, 2023, on Capitol Hill in Washington.

More news to know now

🌤 What's the weather today? Check your local forecast here.

Los Angeles students go back to school after worker strike

Classes are scheduled to resume Friday in the Los Angeles Unified School District after a contentious three-day strike and ongoing labor talks between workers, teachers, district and city officials. More than 400,000 students in the nation's second-largest school district will return to school after the impasse saw more than 60,000 workers hit the picket lines demanding better pay and benefits. The union and the district are negotiating along with Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass, but what comes next is unclear. Read more 

Los Angeles Unified School District (LAUSD) workers and supporters rally in Los Angeles State Historic Park on the last day of a strike over a new contract on March 23, 2023 in Los Angeles, California.
Los Angeles Unified School District (LAUSD) workers and supporters rally in Los Angeles State Historic Park on the last day of a strike over a new contract on March 23, 2023 in Los Angeles, California.

Severe storms, tornadoes threaten South

Following a storm-heavy week, the threat for severe weather intensifies and expands Friday, as areas from Houston to Cincinnati should prepare for strong to severe thunderstorms, according to AccuWeather meteorologists. The storms could include "strong tornadoes," along with damaging winds and large hail, the Storm Prediction Center said. Portions of Arkansas, Mississippi and Louisiana are in the highest risk zone on Friday. Read more

Damage to a building is seen on Wednesday, March 22, 2023 in Montebello, Calif., after a possible tornado.
Damage to a building is seen on Wednesday, March 22, 2023 in Montebello, Calif., after a possible tornado.

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Banned book attempts hit record

Attempted book bans and restrictions at school and public libraries continue to surge, setting a record in 2022, according to a new report from the American Library Association. More than 1,200 challenges were compiled by the association in 2022, nearly double the then-record total from 2021 and by far the most since the ALA began keeping data 20 years ago. The report says requests today are often for multiple removals, and organized by national groups such as the conservative Moms for Liberty, which has a mission of "unifying, educating and empowering parents to defend their parental rights at all levels of government." Read more

One more thing

Photo of the day: Markquis Nowell leads Kansas State to thrilling overtime win

In a white-knuckle, heart-stopping ride, third-seeded Kansas State outlasted seventh-seeded Michigan State in overtime, 98-93, Thursday in a Sweet 16 matchup of the men’s NCAA Tournament. Markquis Nowell, Kansas State’s 5-foot-8 point guard, was brilliant with 19 assists – an NCAA Tournament single-game record — along with 20 points and five steals. Read our recap of Thursday night's games.

Kansas State guard Markquis Nowell passes behind his back during Thursday's game against Michigan State.
Kansas State guard Markquis Nowell passes behind his back during Thursday's game against Michigan State.

Nicole Fallert is a newsletter writer at USA TODAY, sign up for the email here. Want to send Nicole a note? Shoot her an email at NFallert@usatoday.com or follow along with her musings on Twitter. Support journalism like this – subscribe to USA TODAY here.

Associated Press contributed reporting.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Syria air strikes, TikTok, Los Angeles strike, severe weather, March Madness, NCAA: Daily Briefing

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