Today is Friday, March 19th, and you're listening to The Morning Announcements.

I'm Sammy Sage.

In an interview with ABC the other day, President Biden publicly referred to Vladimir Putin as a killer.

Apparently, Vladimir Putin really wasn't a fan of that.

He responded with a Taylor Swift lyric,

it takes one to know one, and bi- ominously telling reporters that he hopes Biden remains healthy

and adding,

I say that without irony and not as a joke.

Constantin Khosachiyab, the deputy chairman of the Russia Parliament's Upper House,

said that Biden's comments were unacceptable and that he expects an apology.

Kremlin spokesperson Dimitri Peskov told reporters on Thursday,

these are very bad remarks on the part of the U.S. President.

They also alluded that there would be a potential response

in addition to the recall of the Russian ambassador the other day.

I mean, we've always known Putin was petty,

but it feels like Biden hit a nerve here.

COVID-19 cases are now up by more than 10% in 14 states this week compared to last,

and half of those states are seeing rise of more than 20%.

The worst acceleration of infections have been recorded in Michigan,

but Delaware, Montana, Alabama, and West Virginia have also seen alarming increases.

Meanwhile, 100 million shots have been administered,

which well exceeded the Biden administration's goal of doing so in 100 days.

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