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Directions
: Read the news summary, watch the two-minute PBS NewsHour news summary (April 8) and complete the activity below. [Note that this summary does not include the top coronavirus news of the day; see individual segments on those stories in the current events activity below.]
Teacher's note
: If you are making plans for distant learning, take a look at our
list of PBS resources
that covers a variety of subjects for middle and high school students.
In this news summary:
Extension activities:
- Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin announced Americans will start receiving direct deposits of COVID-19 aid next week. He also pressed Congress to add $250 billion to the Payroll Protection Program for small businesses so that they can pay their employees during the shut down.
- In Afghanistan, the government freed 100 Taliban prisoners today, and said that it was part of an agreement between the insurgents and the U.S.
- A truck driver pled guilty in the deaths last year of 39 migrants found in a truck in England. Maurice Robinson entered a plea to manslaughter. His refrigerated truck was discovered outside London last October. Police found the bodies of Vietnamese migrants, who died of lack of oxygen and overheating. Police believe traffickers smuggled them into England.
- The Vatican has named a new commission today to consider whether to ordain women as Roman Catholic deacons. Pope Francis created the panel, as the church faces a shortage of priests. Deacons are allowed to preside at weddings, baptisms and funerals, but not to perform mass.
- A central figure in the impeachment of President Bill Clinton, Linda Tripp, died April 8 at the age 0f 70. Tripp secretly recorded Monica Lewinsky discussing sexual encounters with the president that led to his impeachment, but he was acquitted by the Senate.


- Super Civics 2020 election activity : Read Will it ever be possible to get out the youth vote? , watch the accompanying PBS Student Reporting Labs teen-produced videos and answer the discussion questions.
- Music education : Have your students tag their music videos using #SongsOfComfort and @NewsHour . Find out more about how to participate in this Extra Daily News Story : Yo-Yo Ma provides comfort in a time of crisis
