Friday News Bites: Violence in Kiev, Pussy Riot Beaten By Police + Hot Pocket Regrets

I wish I had more of an upbeat collection of news stories for you all this week, but we’ve got some upsetting items to sift through first. Including my regret over “2 a.m. and I’m hungry” late-night food purchases…

Yes, yes, of course Hot Pockets are kinda gross when you think about them, just like any other processed food that involves meat, but this recall of Hot Pockets has put me off them entirely. (At least I can console myself somewhat in that I was more likely to eat the pepperoni Lean Pockets, and not the Philly Cheese Steak.)

As Karo talked about in yesterday’s News in Europe, violence in Kiev has increased. The U.S. government has responded by denying the visas for 20 senior Ukrainian government officials, and has threatened sanctions against the country if violence against the protesters continues. [Warning: Auto-playing video.]

In Russia, the band Pussy Riot was attacked by police when they tried to perform near a sign for the Sochi Olympics. The police used whips and pepper spray, and whole incident was captured on video. [Warning: Auto-playing video.]

Back in the U.S., leaked emails from Wisconson Governor Scott Walker’s former Chief of Staff, Evan McMorris-Santoro, are mega-racist. The emails, along with around 25,000 others, were released by the state court, as part of an investigation into Walker’s alleged illegal campaign practices.

In Florida, another young black man is dead after a white man “felt threatened” by something innocuous — This time, it was Jordan Davis, shot by a man named Michael Dunn, after a disagreement over Davis’ “loud music.” New York Daily News reports:

In jailhouse audiotapes released by the state attorney general’s office, Dunn appears to show little remorse when he says “I’m the fucking victim here. I was the one who was victimized. I’m the victor but I was the victim, too.”

I just don’t even know what to say, other than the obvious: When will crimes like this stop?

Okay, now let’s move on to some less depressing news items:

Banksy’s “Kissing Coppers” was sold at a U.S. auction this week for $575,000. How odd to be able to remove an entire wall to sell this type of work.

If you live in the Washington, D.C. area and a handful of other places, NPR is hiring interns.

At Wednesday night’s Brit music awards, David Bowie became the oldest recipient of the “Best British Male” award. Noel Gallagher announced him as the winner, saying, “You maniacs didn’t think David Bowie was actually going to be here? David Bowie’s too cool for that – he doesn’t do this shit.”

Kate Moss accepted the award on his behalf.

Finally, let us end with NBC Nightly News anchor Brian Williams (and two other guests) performing “Rapper’s Delight” during Jimmy Fallon’s new tenure as The Tonight Show‘s host.

Until next time, friends.