How trauma physically affects world leaders; Brooklyn shooting suspect ID'ed; financial predators took advantage of COVID

Plus, we remember comedian Gilbert Gottfried, who died at 67. [View this email online]( [NPR]( by Suzanne Nuyen First up Ukrainian Presidency handout/Anadolu Agency via Getty Images; Ronaldo Schemidt/AFP via Getty Images Here's what we're following today: Photos of Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy have highlighted how stress can wreak havoc on the human body, both mentally and physically. Many are comparing his [bearded, lined face]( and baggy eyes to his clean-shaven look prior to Russia's invasion. ➡️ Meanwhile, Western sanctions have put Russia on the verge of defaulting on its foreign debt for the [first time since the Bolshevik Revolution]( more than a century ago. President Biden accused Russian President Vladimir Putin of genocide yesterday in a speech in which he blamed Russia for rising gas prices. He clarified later that Putin was trying to "[wipe out the idea]( of even being — being able to be Ukrainian." The NYPD has identified Frank R. James as a person of interest in the Tuesday morning subway shooting in Brooklyn that injured 10 people. Police found [a pair of keys to a U-Haul van]( at the scene linked to James, as well as a cache of weapons including guns, ammunition, a hatchet and gasoline. The Democratic National Committee is considering a proposal that would overhaul the party's traditional calendar, in which Iowa's caucuses go first. Many critics have argued that Iowa and New Hampshire — the state with the second caucus — [are not diverse enough]( to lead the nominating process. --------------------------------------------------------------- Newsletter continues after sponsor message --------------------------------------------------------------- Picture show Nickolai Hammar/NPR For weeks, the Ukrainian city of Chernihiv was bombarded daily by Russian troops. Villages outside of town were reduced to rubble. Now, residents are cleaning up and [wondering how to move forward]( with their homes and livelihoods gone. --------------------------------------------------------------- Today’s listen Virginia Mayo/AP When the COVID pandemic began, the federal government was throwing contracts to companies left and right in order to meet the nation's demand for PPE. Many of these companies were run by people with a history of fraud. 🎧 [Listen to how these unscrupulous operators profited from the nation's health crisis]( or [read the story](. --------------------------------------------------------------- Before you go Evan Agostini/Invision/AP - Comedian Gilbert Gottfried has died at 67. He had been dealing with a long illness related to [a disorder affecting his heart.]( - What does it mean to be real? A century after it was first published, [The Velveteen Rabbit's]( still resonates. - WNYC's 9/11 broadcasts will be archived in the National Recording Registry at the Library of Congress. Other "sounds of history" honored this year include [the complete presidential speeches of President Franklin D. Roosevelt]( and WSB-Atlanta's coverage of Hank Aaron's 715th home run --------------------------------------------------------------- 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]