The Weakness of the West

Answering your questions about Russia. [For the best experience, read in browser.]( February 21, 2024 Good morning. Russia’s been at the forefront lately, so I spoke to the New Yorker’s Susan Glasser about the war in Ukraine, [the controversies surrounding Alexei Navalny’s death](, and more. Later, we’ve got the details on [the colon cancer warning signs everyone needs to watch out for]( and [a new tool that could simplify your taxes](. Then, we’ve got [the secret to a good workout in just 2 minutes](. Let’s begin.   In the News [A memorial honoring Alexei Navalny]( People honor Alexei Navalny with a memorial in New York City. (Getty Images) The Weakness of the West Former President Trump issued his first remarks since the shocking death of Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny, days after the fact. Instead of condemning Russia, the Republican frontrunner compared Navalny’s tragic end to his own legal problems. “The sudden death of Alexei Navalny has made me more and more aware of what is happening in our country,” he wrote on his platform, Truth Social. I’ve been thinking a lot about the situation, so I turned to New Yorker staff writer Susan Glasser, who gave us some insights into Trump’s controversial remarks and how Russian President Vladimir Putin is “banking on the weakness of the West.” [Check out our conversation right here](. [READ MORE]( PASS THIS STORY ALONG: mailto:?subject=Check%20out%20this%20story%20from%20Wake-Up%20Call%21&body=https%3A%2F%2Fkatiecouric.com%2Fvideo%2Fvideo%2Ftrump-comments-navalny%2F   More Stories [Culture dishes are prepared at a fertility center to collect the eggs after egg retrieval. ]( Getty Images Health: In an unprecedented decision, Alabama’s Supreme Court has ruled that frozen embryos are children, meaning anyone who destroys them could be held liable for wrongful death. The ruling means two suits against a Mobile fertility clinic can move forward — and [throws the future of IVF treatment]( in the state into doubt. Conflict overseas: The U.S. has vetoed a United Nations resolution for a ceasefire in Gaza for the third time, saying it would jeopardize efforts to broker a hostage deal. The World Health Organization says conditions in Gaza's Nasser hospital after an Israeli raid are “indescribable.” Over in Ukraine, eleven children have been reunited with their families after being repatriated from Russia. Politics: New York AG Letitia James told ABC News that she's prepared to seize Donald Trump's assets if he can't pay the $354 million penalty in his civil fraud case. Meanwhile, the FBI informant who's been charged with lying about the Bidens' business dealings in Ukraine says he picked up info from Russian intelligence. Crime: Two men have been charged with murder in the Super Bowl parade shooting that left a woman dead. Former [family vlogger Ruby Franke]( has been sentenced to four consecutive terms of one to 15 years, on four counts of aggravated child abuse. And disturbingly, the suspect in the disappearance and death of 11-year-old Audrii Cunningham in Texas is a family friend — who helped search for her.   A Closer Look Much has been said about the disastrous congressional hearings about antisemitism on college campuses. Dara Horn, who was on Harvard’s antisemitism advisory committee, wrote [an eye-opening essay in The Atlantic]( about why this form of hatred persists, even (and especially) amongst America’s most elite educational institutions. No matter your enrollment status, it’s an incredibly important read — I hope you’ll check it out.   Must-Reads [Young person clutching their torso in pain]( Look Out Colon cancer among young adults is on the rise. Here are the symptoms to keep an eye on — even before your first colonoscopy. [Read More »]( [yellow and green piggy banks on purple background]( Money Matters The IRS has made filing taxes for many Americans easier (and less costly). This is what you need to know — and how to see if you qualify. [Read More »]( [Couple arguing before couples therapist]( Words of Warning Couples counseling can be helpful, but if you're dealing with a narcissist, it can actually make your problems worse. Here's why. [Read More »](   Going Strong [Ryan Cooper]( James Dimmock Let’s face it: We’re all busy. Between work, family obligations, and everything else we've got going on, it’s hard enough to find time to breathe — let alone hit the gym. Good thing Ryan Cooper's got a [heart-pumping high-intensity workout]( that takes just two minutes. Yep, you read that right. That's shorter than a commercial break! [GET MOVING](   Shine Bright Sometimes, you get way more than what you pay for — and that's particularly true when you purchase lab-grown gems. Save on dazzling diamonds, including [these stunning studs]( that really are a girl's best friend. [diamond earrings on sparkly background]( [SHOP HERE](   [The Shop Edit. Love shopping as much as we do? Subscribe to our latest newsletter and you'll never miss another trend, money-saving sale, or hard-to-find gem!]( Thanks for reading Wake-Up Call and being part of our community! If you have questions or comments, drop us a line at info@katiecouric.com. See you tomorrow! [Alternate text] Update your preferences or [unsubscribe]( If you buy something through this email, KCM may earn a commission. Katie Couric Media, 75 Varick St, Ste 12, New York, NY - 10013-1917 Copyright © 2023 Katie Couric Media, All rights reserved.