Thursday morning news: September 15, 2022

For WORLD Radio, I'm Kent Covington. 

Ukraine update » Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy shook hands Wednesday with many of the troops that liberated the city of Izium in the country’s east.

He made a surprise visit to the city and said what he saw there was shocking, but not surprising after witnessing the destruction Russian forces left behind in another town.

ZELENSKY: The view is very shocking, but it’s not [a] shock for me because we began to see the same pictures from Bucha.

Bucha is a small city on Kyiv's outskirts.

Izium was left largely devastated, with apartment buildings blackened by fire or caved in by artillery strikes. A gaping hole and piles of rubble stood where one building had collapsed.

As in Bucha before, Ukrainian officials say they’ve found signs of war crimes in Izium.

DOJ cyber attack charges » The Justice Department has charged three Iranian citizens with ransomware attacks that targeted governments, companies, and other groups in the U.S. and beyond.

U.S. Attorney Phillip Sellinger:

SELLINGER: Not only was this scheme massive, but it focused on particular types of victims.

They largely targeted power companies, infrastructure, medical facilities, and local governments around the world.

SELLINGER: All are Iranian nationals. They committed these crimes from inside Iran. As of now, each of them are fugitives.

They are not believed to have been working on behalf of the Iranian government.

Ransomware attacks encrypt and steal data from victims, demanding ransom payments to unlock the data.

Rail labor dispute » The White House on Wednesday again pressed railroad companies and labor unions to strike a deal and avoid a railway strike by tomorrow’s deadline.

Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre:

PIERRE: Our continued message stays the same, which is that they need to continue to negotiate at the table in good faith.

Members of one union rejected a tentative deal with the largest U.S. freight railroads Wednesday while two ratified agreements and three others remained at the bargaining table.

The unions aren't allowed to strike earlier than tomorrow under a federal law that governs railroad contract talks.

The halting of most freight train traffic could cause more supply chain chaos, dealing a major blow to the economy.

Seattle teachers end strike » Meantime, in Seattle, public school teachers and staff welcomed children back to class Wednesday after ending a weeklong strike. WORLD’s Kristen Flavin has more.

KRISTEN FLAVIN, REPORTER: Seattle Public Schools and the union reached agreement on a new contract, and the union voted this week to suspend the walkout.

The three-year deal will keep or improve ratios of students to staff. It will also increase mental health staffing in schools, and raise pay.

The strike began Sept. 7th, delaying the start of school by a week.

Reporting for WORLD, I’m Kristen Flavin.

Queen lies in state » The late Queen Elizabeth II lies in state this morning in London’s Westminster Hall. Her coffin rests on a red carpeted platform with a royal guard stationed at each corner.

AUDIO: [Procession, clapping]

On Wednesday, thousands of Londoners lined the streets as a royal procession carried her coffin from Buckingham Palace.

Thousands are expected to pay their respects at Westminster Hall before the queen’s funeral on Monday.

California wildfire » AUDIO: [Helicopter]

Helicopters are dumping water on heavily forested hillsides in Northern California as firefighters work to douse the Mosquito Fire.

CalFire spokesman Jim Mackensen told KXTV this is an extremely difficult blaze to battle in part because of where it’s burning.

MACKENSEN: Very, very steep, rocky, treacherous treacherous terrain. We all know that we have cliff rescues up there all the time. So the crew’s been working. The bulldozers have been working.

The Mosquito Fire destroyed an unknown number of structures when flames erupted Tuesday afternoon. But fire officials say they have made “great strides” since then.

The blaze is one of three large fires in the state.

Toy hall of fame » Voting opened Wednesday on which toys should join the National Toy Hall of Fame this year. The class of 2022 finalists include …

COMMERCIAL: Lite-Brite, turn on the magical colored lights.

Also among the nominees: Nerf Toys, Breyer Horses, Masters of the Universe, the piñata, Pound Puppies, and the spinning top.

Strong Museum curator Michelle Parnett-Dwyer said the only award is a place of honor in the Toy Hall of Fame.

DWYER: There’s no prize money or trophy or anything like that. We do always feature the toys or games that won in display.

The public is invited to vote online through next Wednesday.

Last year's honorees were American Girl Dolls, the board game Risk, and sand.

Calming a crying baby research » Want to know how to get a crying baby back to sleep? New research out of Tokyo might help. WORLD’s Anna Johansen Brown reports.

ANNA JOHANSEN BROWN, REPORTER: A study from the Riken Center for Brain Science in Japan suggests the key is to walk around with your crying baby for about five minutes. Then sit and hold him for 5 to 8 minutes.

Researchers found that crying babies calmed down and their heart rates slowed within 30 seconds of being carried. And half of them fell back to sleep. But when mom tried to put them back to bed without first sitting down, a third of the babies started crying again.

Reporting for WORLD, I’m Anna Johansen Brown.

I’m Kent Covington. For more news, features, and analysis, visit us at wng.org. 

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