The EU was hit hard by vaccine shortages
Europe’s problems with coronavirus vaccination increased yesterday when Spain became the first country to partially suspend vaccinations due to missing doses. Madrid have suspended vaccinations for two weeks and Catalonia could follow.
Despite being full of money and influence, the European Union has lined up behind Britain and the United States, as well as other nations such as Israel, Canada and the United Arab Emirates, in an attempt to secure enough doses for its people, even for so many countries , especially the poor, have difficulty getting any at all.
In response to drug maker AstraZeneca’s announcement that it would cut shipments of its vaccine by 60 percent due to production bottlenecks, the EU asked the company to supply it with doses from UK factories, according to a BBC report.
Details: The European Commission, the bloc’s executive branch, set a goal last week to vaccinate 70 percent of the population by the summer. This goal was dismissed as “difficult” four days later by the President of the European Council, Charles Michel.
President Biden yesterday signed a full suite of executive measures related to the climate crisis – from suspending new federal oil leases to electrifying the government’s vast fleet of vehicles – while viewing the measures as beneficial to American workers and the environment.
Mr Biden said his guidelines would reserve 30 percent of the state and water for conservation purposes, make climate policy central to national safety decisions, and build a nationwide network of charging stations for electric cars.
He argued that instead of resulting in job losses, these steps would instead create work in building the necessary wind and solar infrastructure. Harnessing government purchasing power to buy zero-emission vehicles would accelerate the transition from gasoline-powered cars and ultimately create “a million new jobs in America’s auto industry.”
Quote: “In my opinion we have waited too long to deal with this climate crisis. We can’t wait any longer, ”said Mr Biden. “We see it with our own eyes. We feel it. We know it in our bones. And it’s time to act. “
More from Washington: The Biden administration warned the US There will be shortages of personal protective equipment and other essential supplies unless Congress quickly passes Mr. Biden’s $ 1.9 trillion relief bill.
January 6 injury: According to a rare warning from national terrorism, the US faces an increased threat from violent domestic extremists, encouraged by the Capitol uprising.
Poland imposes an almost complete ban on abortion
Thousands of outraged women, youth and allies returned to the streets of Poland last night after it was revealed that a ruling would enter into force halting abortion for fetal abnormalities – practically the only type of abortion in the country.
Although the decision was taken by the Constitutional Court in October, its implementation was delayed after sparking protests for a month. Yesterday the government abruptly announced that the verdict would be published in the government journal, which means it will come into force.
Poland already had one of the most restrictive abortion laws in Europe, with only three cases being legal: fetal abnormalities, pregnancies resulting from rape or incest, and threats to a woman’s life. The latter two remain legal.
Slogans: The protesters sang: “I think, I feel, I decide!” and “Freedom of choice instead of terror!” In Warsaw, they marched to the headquarters of the ruling Law and Justice Party to hear songs like “I will survive”.
If you have 12 minutes, it’s worth it
A story of modern white supremacy
Forty years ago, Louis Beam upstairs, a former great dragon of the Texas Knights of the Ku Klux Klan, came up with the idea of using the Internet to propel movement.
The strategies he and his contemporaries set in motion persist to this day – and law enforcement and the general public are still fighting his vision of white nationalism on platforms like Gab, 8chan and Parler. That’s how it happened.
The following also happens
Boeing’s worst year ever: The aircraft maker lost more than $ 11.9 billion in the past year as it struggled to overcome the crisis surrounding its 737 Max and was hit by the slowdown in global aviation caused by the coronavirus pandemic.
Brexi; British ports had expected some stagnation after the post-Brexit trade laws came into effect, but truckers were so reluctant to deal with the headache of new documents that many ports were nearly empty.
Market report: Wall Street saw its largest daily decline in months when the Federal Reserve issued a gloomy economic assessment. Regardless, a troubled US video game retailer stock is up 1,700 percent this month thanks to amateur traders who organized an online campaign to increase its shares.
Cook: This vegan pasta elicits an amazing taste and texture from just a few leeks, a box of pasta, a little olive oil, and lemon.
Nell Scovell, Comedy writer whose credits include “The Simpsons” and “Late Night With David Letterman”.
To add to the excitement [best-picture category]I suggest that the Oscars adopt a Miss Universe type of final. … And maybe we add a clause: if one of the producers turns out to be a rapist, they lose [the award] and the runner-up will be the best picture winner for that year.
Jordan Horowitz, Producer whose credits include “La La Land”.
The experience of being in the room during the Oscars is very different from the experience of seeing them on TV. Part of my heart wants to come back to the fact that it’s just a dinner with the nominees and the moderators. [Or] a zoom broadcast. [With the Emmys this year] It was an intimacy to see people for who they really are in their homes and who they were with and how they were with them. That was really exciting.
Peter Mehlman, a former writer and producer of “Seinfeld”.
Let’s be honest. The caption of every Oscar night is: Wow, look how much better our life is than yours. Hollywood should give up the idea that everyone aspires to be us. Maybe this year instead of a black tie they should be casual about the office. And do we really need a red carpet? Can’t these people be standing on a sidewalk now?
That’s it for this briefing. See you on friday
– Natasha
Many Thanks
Theodore Kim and Jahaan Singh took the break from the news. You can reach the team at [email protected].
PS
• We hear “The Daily”. Our latest installment takes a look at the trend that US coronavirus cases are falling and whether or not they will continue.
• Here is our mini crossword puzzle and a hint: “Mind. Blown. “(Five letters). All our puzzles can be found here.
• Cliff Levy, a two-time Pulitzer Prize winner who has headed the Metro desk since 2018, returns to the Times senior masthead as assistant editor-in-chief.
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