Morning Must Reads: March 11

Iraqi Forces Gain Ground on ISIS

After a week of intense fighting, Iraqi and Shi’ite forces have retaken major parts of Tikrit–a strategically vital city in Iraq’s Sunni Triangle–from the Islamic State of Iraq and Greater Syria. Iranian military officials were also reportedly involved in the city’s recapture.

BK Drops Soda From Kids’ Menus

The fast-food giant said on Tuesday it removed sugary soft drinks from kids’ menus without fanfare last month, to match options with “lifestyle needs”

Clinton Defends ‘Personal’ Email

Former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton acknowledged Tuesday that she discarded tens of thousands of emails from a private server

Critics Say Expelling OU Frat Students May Be Illegal

The University of Oklahoma’s decision to expel two students who played “a leadership role” in singing a racist chant that went viral after it was caught on video may assuage critics. But civil liberties experts say it could also be unconstitutional

Utah Bill Permits Firing Squads if Lethal Injection Unavailable

Utah legislators on Wednesday passed a bill that, if signed by Governor Gary Herbert, will allow inmate executions by firing squad in the event that lethal-injection drugs are unavailable. The bill passed through the state senate by an 18-10 vote

Flight Attendant Sues Over ‘Nut Rage’ Incident

A Korean Air flight attendant is suing the airline and one of its vice presidents after the executive allegedly assaulted her over the serving of macadamia nuts. The executive wanted the nuts to be served on a plate in what’s since been called a case of “nut rage”

Tylenol Maker Admits to Selling Medicine Tainted with Metal

McNeil Consumer Healthcare, a Johnson & Johnson subsidiary, pleaded guilty in a Federal District Court in Philadelphia to a criminal charge of manufacture and process of adulterated over-the-counter medicines

Facebook Removes ‘Feeling Fat’ Emoji

Grad student and playwright Catherine Weingarten, alongside the advocacy group Endangered Bodies, had launched a petition calling for the status’s removal last month. “I want them to realize that it’s not just a light, cute sort of thing for everyone,” she said

BBC Suspends Top Gear Host Jeremy Clarkson

British Top Gear host Jeremy Clarkson, 54, has been suspended by the BBC, after a “fracas” with a producer. The BBC reported that he stands accused of hitting the producer during an argument last week. Clarkson has not commented on the suspension

Here’s How Chameleons Change Color

Scientists may have finally unlocked the mystery behind chameleons’ unique ability to change color. The explanation is that the reptile’s skin is made up of tiny mirror-like crystals, contained within reflective pigment cells called iridophores

Likelihood of Huge Earthquake in California Rises

The chances of earthquake magnitude 8.0 or greater hitting California in the next 30 years have been increased from about 4.7% to 7%, the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) said in a statement Tuesday. But the chances of a moderate earthquake went down

Jury Finds ‘Blurred Lines’ Ripped Off Marvin Gaye

A jury said Tuesday that Robin Thicke and Pharrell copied a 1977 Marvin Gaye song in “Blurred Lines,” the No. 1 song on Billboard’s 2013 year-end U.S. pop songs chart, and awarded $7.3 million to the Gaye family