The Republican frontrunner was unhappy with the choice of Megyn Kelly as a moderator, and after lobbying for days to have her removed from the debate to no avail, he has decided not to attend. Fox News said it would not "give into terrorizations toward any of our employees." [Marina Fang, HuffPost]
"Ammon Bundy, leader of the month-long militant occupation of the Malheur National Wildlife Refuge in Burns, Oregon, was arrested Tuesday in a highway confrontation with law enforcement that killed one of his followers and wounded another, according to the FBI." [Nick Visser, HuffPost]
Many are waiting to see what happens after the Federal Reserve announces its "first monetary policy decision of the year" Wednesday. [WSJ | Paywall]
"A string of incidents, including abductions from Thailand and Hong Kong, forced repatriations and the televised 'confessions' of two Swedish citizens, has crossed a new red line, according to diplomats in Beijing. Yet many foreign governments seem unwilling or unable to intervene, their public response limited to mild protests." [WaPo]
Inside the Ohio town that now fears its water may be contaminated. [AP]
"Who run the world?" [Amanda Terkel, HuffPost]
"The [State] Department anticipates a surge in passport demand throughout this year, and officials hope to avoid a crush that could leave some Americans fuming in frustration with no passport in hand on the day they planned to travel outside the country." [NYT]
WHAT’S BREWING
You'll want to hold your breath. [Glittering Blue]
The famous character actor died in his sleep Tuesday. [AP]
"The Birth of a Nation," which Nate Parker wrote, produced and starred in, depicts an 1831 slave rebellion. [HuffPost]
Chuck Todd and Rachel Maddow would moderate. [HuffPost]
Say goodbye to that pre-cut celery. [HuffPost]
"But I think art in Egypt is far more developed than what you see in the U.S., for example. A lot of new artists emerged during the revolution. New artists made powerful art in different contexts, whether it was street art, visual art, or performative art in the street or showed art in independent galleries and spaces." [HuffPost]
WHAT'S WORKING
"A new video released by environmental activists explores the issue of palm oil, which is found in half of all the products we buy -- from cookies to shampoos -- and is linked to the destruction of one of the world's most important tropical rainforests." [HuffPost]
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BEFORE YOU GO
~ The apps Apple went after.
~ Weight Watchers stock shot up after the latest Oprah commercial, where she says she lost 26 pounds while eating bread every day.
~ This Thai airline makes you buy a ticket for your doll.
~ The "Here to Make Friends" crowd discusses how "The Bachelor" made the ultimate choice: picking between the twins.
~ There's a movie in the works about the time Michael Jackson, Marlon Brando and Elizabeth Taylor road-tripped to Ohio.
~ Congrats to John Krasinski and Emily Blunt on the announcement they're expecting baby number two!
~ Bad news continues with Apple's latest iPhone numbers.
~ The people that can remember every detail of days years in the past.
Send tips/quips/quotes/stories/photos/events/scoops to Lauren Weber at lauren.weber@huffingtonpost.com. Follow us on Twitter @LaurenWeberHP. And like what you're reading? Sign up here to get The Morning Email delivered to you.