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1. Winter time
The winter weather continues to wreak havoc in the United States, with forecasts predicting more ice and low temperatures in the hardest-hit states. Texas, which rarely gets so cold, has been especially affected. Refrigerated temperatures have increased energy demand and frozen or overworked energy sources, leaving millions in the dark and struggling to stay warm. The situation could have far-reaching implications, as the US electricity industry is trying to reduce carbon emissions in response to the climate crisis. Another consequence of bad weather: Many cities and states have paused in vaccination efforts. The winter storm has caused at least 26 deaths.
2. Joe Biden
Last night, President Joe Biden set a new deadline for a CNN town hall: by the end of July, the United States will have enough doses of Covid-19 vaccine to vaccinate all Americans. He also said the nation could hope to return to normalcy next Christmas, adding that he did not want to promise too much. These were some of the questions Biden addressed in his first city council as president. He also clarified the confusion over the reopening of schools, defended a call for a raise in the minimum wage and insisted the country was not divided. If you missed it, CNN’s Chris Cillizza has some takeaway dishes about what mattered most. Overall, Biden showed that “the days of denial of the presidential pandemic and indifference to American suffering are over,” writes Stephen Collinson of CNN.
3. Coronavirus
New York Democratic Gov. Andrew Cuomo announced himself as an example of a crisis leadership textbook last year, with his briefings on the coronavirus and his passionate calls on the federal government to get more medical supplies . He even wrote a book that offered lessons on leadership. Now, this is all in question. Cuomo is at the center of a controversy over Covid-19 deaths in nursing homes, about how they were accounted for and how his administration handled requests for that data. A senior adviser told state lawmakers earlier this month that his administration delayed the release of data on nursing homes due to concerns about a possible federal investigation by the Trump administration. Cuomo admitted some mistakes this week, but eventually defended the decision to delay the publication of data on deaths. Lawmakers on both sides have called for an investigation and limitations on their executive powers.
4. Trump
The consequences of Donald Trump’s second impeachment trial continue. The former president went on Tuesday behind Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell, who offered a blunt crisis to Trump just after voting to acquit him. Trump’s insults to McConnell come as the Republican Party in general is confronted with whether it wants to continue in Trump’s likeness or forge a path that goes beyond the former president’s legacy. In other news, Rudy Giuliani, Trump’s personal attorney, does not currently represent the former president on any legal issues, an adviser said. Trump faces multiple criminal investigations, marital investigations and defamation lawsuits by two women who accuse him of sexual assault.
5. China
A U.S. Navy warship has sailed through islands claimed by China in the South China Sea. It is the second such navigation in so many weeks and comes when the Biden administration intensifies the U.S. military presence in disputed waters. Vietnam, Taiwan and the Philippines also have claims on the Spratly Islands, where the U.S.-guided missile destroyer approached. Since taking office, the Biden administration has reaffirmed its commitment to American allies and partners in the region, as well as to the protection of a free and open Indo-Pacific. China claims that US naval operations in the South China Sea inflame tensions and violate its sovereignty.
EXPLORE BREAKFAST
Rihanna was topless wearing a pendant depicting the Hindu god Ganesha and some people are unhappy
Some Hindus accuse the singer of cultural appropriation and religious insensitivity.
Johnny Pacheco, who popularized salsa music in the US, dies at the age of 85
His contributions to the genre earned him the title of “godfather of sauce.”
Slavery repairs could have reduced transmission and Covid-19 deaths in the US, according to Harvard study
It is another powerful argument in the case of repairs.
California condors at Oregon Zoo have laid nine eggs, a much-needed boost for endangered species
With fingers crossed, they all hatch into sweet babies.
Tourists taking selfies could extend Covid-19 to endangered gorillas
A kind reminder for all zoo visitors – wear a mask.
AIX J ONLY
Dozens of students are feared kidnapped after gunmen stormed a school in Nigeria
At least one person has died in the attack, a witness told CNN.
PERSEVERANCE PROFILES
February is the month of black history and every day we highlight the pioneers of black in American history. More information here.
Marsha P. Johnson, gay rights and transgender activist, 1945-1992
When police raided the New York gay bar known as the Stonewall Inn in 1969, Johnson was said to be one of the first to resist them. The following year he marched to the city’s first gay pride event. She helped open a shelter for LGBTQ youth and advocated for sex workers and those with HIV / AIDS. Her activism made her a minor celebrity among artists and outcasts in Lower Manhattan.
TODAY’S ISSUE
$ 500 million
That’s what Citibank had tried to recover after mistakenly connecting a very large sum to the lenders of the cosmetics company Revlon last year. On Tuesday, a judge ruled that the bank could not recover the money.
TODAY’S BUDGET
“I’m a hostage.”
Sheikha Latifa wrote Mohammed Al Maktoum, daughter of Dubai’s ruling billionaire, who appears in secret recordings claiming she is being held in a prison-turned-village with no access to medical help, according to a BBC documentary.
TODAY’S WEATHER
Check out the local forecast here >>>
AND FINALLY
50 states, 50 accents
Whether we want to admit it or not, we all have an accent. Did these people get your state right? (Click here to see it.)