Where people are on high alert…

Iraq and Sweden. Yesterday, Iraq kicked out the Swedish ambassador and brought home their charge d'affaires from Sweden amid heightened tensions between the two counties. Last month, Sweden granted permission to an Iraqi refugee to burn the Quran during broader anti-Islam protests outside a Stockholm mosque. Then yesterday, another planned Quran burning protest was scheduled to take place by the same refugee, who stomped on the holy book. Iraqi protesters responded by storming and setting fire to parts of Sweden’s embassy in Baghdad. Now, Iraq is threatening to sever diplomatic ties with the Nordic country amid the turmoil and has revoked a Swedish telecom giant’s license to operate in Iraq. Iraq’s prime minister and Sweden’s foreign minister have condemned the protests at the Swedish Embassy. At least 20 people have been arrested.

What’s got many concerned…

Florida’s new teaching standards. Earlier this week, the state’s Board of Education unanimously approved new teaching standards on Black history. The curriculum will teach children in middle school that enslaved Black people “developed skills” that “could be applied for their personal benefit.” It’s the latest development in the state that’s banned critical race theory in schools and rejected offering AP African American Studies courses to high schoolers.

What’s paying up...

New York City. Earlier this week, the city agreed to pay more than $13 million to 1,300 protesters who were arrested or beaten by police during racial justice demonstrations in 2020. The protesters said police officers violated their First Amendment rights with unlawful arrests. However, the city won’t have to admit any wrongdoing. Now, NYC could be paying protesters about $10,000 each if a judge signs off on the settlement. It's considered to be one of the priciest settlements in a lawsuit involving mass arrests.

What’s got a goal in mind…

US Women's National Team. Today, the team kicks off its bid to keep its World Cup title against Vietnam at 9 PM EST at this year’s tournament in Australia and New Zealand. If the USWNT keeps hold of its title, it would be the first national soccer team — male or female — to win three titles in a row. This time, female players will be paid at the same rate as the US men's national team, which has never won a FIFA World Cup. (The women's team has won four, but who's counting?)

Who's got us checking timelines...

Ariana Grande with her new man.

Who's in their spooky era...

Kim Kardashian and Cara Delevingne.