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The Daily Briefing

YOUR MORNING NEWS ROUNDUP

Fri Mar 22 2024

Nicole Fallert | Newsletter Writer

@nicolefallert

Ozempic patients are suing

A package with Ozempic medicine at a hospital in Bonheiden. The Belgian Federal Medicines Agency (FAMHP-FAGG-AFMPS) recommends that doctors and pharmacies reserve the drug Ozempic as a priority for diabetics. There is limited availability of Ozempic due to an acute increase in demand. The drug is also popular as a slimming agent and is often prescribed off-label for this purpose. The Step Young research program is running in the university hospitals of Brussels, Leuven, and Antwerp. The Danish pharmaceutical giant Novo Nordisk wants to determine whether injections with 2.4 milligrams of semaglutide, the active substance of the weight loss drug Ozempic, are safe and effective for losing weight in obese 6 to 12-year-old children.

Some claim the popular drug causes health issues.

More than five dozen lawsuits accuse drugmakers of failing to notify patients about the side effects of their popular diabetes or weight loss drugs, including Ozempic. Also in the news: U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken is in Israel while the U.N. plans to vote on a U.S.-backed cease-fire resolution. We've got a look at what to expect from spring weather this year.

🙋🏼‍♀️ I'm Nicole Fallert, Daily Briefing author. What are America's favorite dog breeds?

Here's the news to know Friday.

Dozens allege weight loss and diabetes drugs cause harmful side effects

Millions of Americans have flocked to a popular class of drugs known as GLP-1 agonists, or glucagon-like peptide 1, which are prescribed for diabetes and weight loss and have become a blockbuster category of medications for drug companies.

But now patients are suing Eli Lilly and Novo Nordisk, the two companies that make drugs within this class of medication, saying they suffered distressing digestive symptoms, such as gallbladder removal or gastroparesis, after taking the drug.

•	You've probably hear a lot about Ozempic lately. The drug is made to treat people with diabetes but has been a craze among elite circles for its weight-loss properties.
•	The maker of Ozempic faces the most of the lawsuits. And attorneys expect the case will eventually include thousands of others who say they were harmed.
•	"Ozempic babies" are surprising women taking these weight loss drugs. Women are getting pregnant, in most cases unintentionally, they say, while taking weight loss medications like Ozempic despite being on birth control or dealing with years of fertility issues.

US pushes UN resolution calling for 'immediate and sustained cease-fire'

The U.S. is taking its toughest position yet regarding Gaza as it pushes for a vote Friday on a U.N. Security Council resolution calling for "an immediate and sustained cease-fire'' in the Israel-Hamas war without tying it to the release of hostages. The resolution is in keeping with the Biden administration's rift with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who has insisted on the need to bring a military offensive into the overcrowded southern Gaza city of Rafah. Read more

A picture taken on March 21, 2024, from onboard a US military transport aircraft, shows a US soldier preparing to drop humanitarian aid parcels over the Gaza Strip.

GIUSEPPE CACACE, AFP via Getty Images

More news to know now

•	Six people have been charged in the Kansas City Super Bowl parade shooting.
•	The Justice Department sued Apple for allegedly monopolizing the smartphone market.
•	President Biden is lapping Donald Trump in fundraising ― and trolling him about his debts.
•	Seventy million Americans drink water from systems reporting PFAS to EPA. Is yours on our map?
•	On today's The Excerpt podcast, a look at an Air Force Academy plan to monitor online extremism. Listen on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or your smart speaker.

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

What's in the $1.2 trillion spending deal to fund the government?

Congressional leaders unveiled a $1.2 trillion spending package to fund the government long term and avert a partial shutdown by a Friday funding deadline. The legislation, which combines six spending bills into one massive 1,012 page bill, will fund the Defense Department, Homeland Security Department, Labor Department, Health and Human Services Department among other functions. The final product came after intense negotiations between lawmakers over the spending package which proved to be much more controversial than past funding deals. As Congress sprints to pass the legislation before the government shuts down at 12:01 a.m. Saturday, both Republicans and Democrats are touting their own victories from the deal. Read more

•	A classified briefing on TikTok scared senators. But they're in no rush to crack down on it.
•	Is inflation worse under Democrats or Republicans?

Parts of all 50 states will be warm this spring

A warm, damp spring is on tap for much of the U.S., federal forecasters predict. The warmth is expected to be widespread, with portions of all 50 states predicted to see above-average temperatures throughout the months of April, May and June. This will continue a pattern that included the record-warmest winter in U.S. weather history. Here's where a warmer spring is most likely.

•	See the return of California's wildflower "super blooms" this spring.

Visitors to the Henderson Canyon Road Wildflower area take photographs of the bloom in Anza Borrego State Park, Calif., March 14, 2024.

Jay Calderon/The Desert Sun

Keep scrolling

•	Richard Higgins, one of the last remaining survivors of the Pearl Harbor attack, has died at 102.
•	Here's how Jake Gyllenhaal's remake of "Road House" compares to the Patrick Swayze cult classic.
•	Save on the most popular deals during Amazon's Big Spring sale.
•	Is the Hermès Birkin exploitative?
•	Here's how to handle a break-up on vacation.
•	Is Margot Robbie making a "Sims" movie?
•	Albert the alligator was seized and his owner wants him back.

March Madness is in full swing

The first round of the NCAA men's basketball tournament continues Friday, and by the time the day ends, the field will have been sliced by more than half - from 68 to just 32 teams. The games come after 16 first-round games on Thursday, when the highlight was No. 14 Oakland knocking off No. 3 Kentucky. Meanwhile, the journey in the women's tournament toward a repeat national championship begins Friday for the LSU Tigers, who are the No. 3 seed in the Albany 2 region in this year's bracket. Read more

•	NCAA Men's Tournament winners and losers so far: Kentucky's upset loss highlights awful day for SEC.
•	These are our favorite mascots cheering on the women's teams.
•	Caitlin Clark's first March Madness opponent is set: Holy Cross is up next after a First Four blowout.
•	Here's the women's tournament schedule, bracket and television times heading into the weekend.

Ncaa Basketball Ncaa Tournament First Round Kentucky V Oakland

Oakland Golden Grizzlies guard Jack Gohlke (3) celebrates shooting a three-pointer in the first round of the 2024 NCAA Tournament at PPG Paints Arena.

Gregory Fisher-USA TODAY Sports

Photo of the day: Getting ready for an eclipse

On April 8, the moon will obscure the entire face of the sun, resulting in a few minutes-long sudden transformation of day into night. Over a dozen lucky U.S. states are located in the eclipse's path of totality, spanning from Texas to Maine – and they're getting ready to welcome travelers for the exceptional natural phenomenon. Read more

The City of Dripping Springs, Texas is preparing for the solar eclipse with a set of larger than life glasses on display at Veterans Memorial Park this month.

SUZANNE CORDEIRO, AFP via Getty Images

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.