QUICK HITS

1 Ohio to allow fracking under state parks:

An Ohio commission awarded bids to frack oil and gas under state parks, despite statewide backlash and an ongoing investigation into possibly fraudulent support. The Ohio Oil and Gas Land Management Commission granted the mineral rights to several oil and gas companies, allowing them to frack for oil and gas under land owned by the Ohio Department of Natural Resources and the Ohio Department of Transportation, including state parks and designated wildlife areas.

2 Trade chief: Global economy weighed down by war, instability:

The head of the World Trade Organization warned that war, uncertainty and instability are weighing down the global economy and urged the bloc to embrace reform as elections across nearly half the world’s population could bring new challenges. WTO Director-General Ngozi OkonjoIweala was blunt about the risks ahead, as higher prices for food, energy and other essentials sting people’s pockets, “fueling political frustration.”

Biden summons leaders to 3 discuss government funding:

President Joe Biden will convene the top four congressional leaders at the White House today to press lawmakers on passing an emergency aid package for Ukraine and Israel, as well as averting a looming government shutdown next month, according to a White House official. The top four leaders include House Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La., Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, D-N.Y., and Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky.

4 Protesting farmers spray police with liquid manure:

Farmers clashed with police in Belgium, spraying officers with liquid manure and throwing eggs and flares at them in a fresh show of force as the European Union’s agriculture ministers met in search of ways to address the protesters’ concerns. The farmers are angry at red tape and competition from cheap imports from countries where the EU’s relatively high standards do not have to be met. Brussels police said that 900 tractors had entered the city, many bearing down on the European Council building where the ministers were meeting.

5 Walton family sells $1.5 billion in Walmart stock:

Members of the Walton family sold roughly $1.5 billion worth of Walmart Inc. stock at the end of last week as shares hovered near a record high. The Walton Family Holdings Trust sold about 8.82 million shares between Feb. 21 and Feb. 23, according to U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission filings from late Friday. The notifications were filed on behalf of Alice, Jim and Rob Walton.