‘Connections’ March 22: Hints and Answers for Puzzle #650

The federal government released over 230,000 pages of previously unreleased records regarding Martin Luther King Jr.'s 1968 assassination, following President Trump's directive, with the documents including FBI and CIA files related to James Earl Ray. King's family expressed mixed feelings, urging compassion in engaging with the files while highlighting the lasting trauma and the controversial surveillance King endured. Want More Context? 🔎

The father of a 4-year-old child is being praised as a hero after he intervened during a mountain lion attack while hiking in Olympic National Park, Washington, resulting in the child's injury. The child was treated and released from a Seattle hospital, while park rangers dispatched the cougar shortly after the incident, ensuring no further threats to the public. Want More Context? 🔎

The release of over 100 pages of declassified files by Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard has reignited controversy over Russia's interference in the 2016 election, with Gabbard alleging evidence of manipulation by the Obama administration, while Democrats counter that her claims misrepresent established intelligence findings. The memorandum, which has garnered support from Trump and Republican lawmakers, conflates different Russian operations and critiques the intelligence community for alleged leaks and bias, despite previous investigations affirming...

President Trump is set to host Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. at the White House, marking a significant step in strengthening U.S.-Philippines security and economic ties amid rising Chinese assertiveness in the Indo-Pacific. Key agenda items include discussions on trade negotiations, potential tariffs on Filipino goods, and reaffirming mutual defense commitments in the face of ongoing territorial conflicts in the South China Sea. Want More Context? 🔎

The White House has excluded a Wall Street Journal reporter from the press pool for President Trump's upcoming trip to Scotland due to the paper's report on a controversial birthday letter to Jeffrey Epstein allegedly signed by Trump, which he has denied. The Wall Street Journal maintains its reporting, while the White House Correspondents' Association criticized the decision as a violation of free speech. Want More Context? 🔎

Fishermen have long harvested oysters from Long Island Sound, but Todd Koehnke and Tim Macklin are now committed to restoring the ecosystem by returning millions of old oyster shells through their nonprofit, Collective Oyster Recycling and Restoration. Their initiative has successfully returned over 700,000 pounds of shells, vital for filtering water, preventing erosion, and supporting marine biodiversity. Want More Context? 🔎