5 things to know for March 23: Boulder, Covid-19, Israel, White House, China

The AstraZeneca Covid-19 vaccine is gaining momentum after the company released new data on its effectiveness. A U.S.-based clinical trial showed that the vaccine was 79% effective against symptomatic disease and 100% effective against serious illness and hospitalization, although an independent U.S. board expressed concern about if the data are complete. Still, the Biden administration will lend about 4 million doses of AstraZeneca vaccine to Canada and Mexico as the shots await approval in the U.S. The president of South Korea has just received the AstraZeneca vaccine himself, and as of today, adults 65 and older can also do so throughout his country. While there is still concern that mass travel and meetings could fuel another increase in the United States, experts estimate that vaccine use has already saved some 40,000 American lives.

Israelis are heading to the polls today for the country’s fourth general election in less than two years. Political leaders have not been able to form a decisive government after the last three elections and there is no guarantee that this will be any different. Most likely, the vote will serve primarily as a referendum on Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. While he has won praise for recent diplomatic agreements and his treatment of the pandemic, the 15-year-old country leader is also being prosecuted for bribery, fraud and breach of trust. While Netanyahu’s Likud party is likely to take the lead this time around, polls show that up to 13 parties could win seats in the 120-seat Knesset, making it even more difficult to form a cohesive government.

White House advisers are expected to present a $ 3 trillion infrastructure and work proposal to President Biden as early as this week. The massive plan is part of the economic agenda promised by Biden during his campaign and represents the second phase of his “rescue” and “recovery” strategy (after the coronavirus relief bill). Part of the new plan focuses on infrastructure and clean energy, and the other on what is called the “care economy,” such as early education and child care. No final decision has been made on the plan, but Biden says he will work with Congress Democrats to find the best way forward.

The United States and several international allies have announced coordinated sanctions against two Chinese officials for “grave human rights abuses” against Uighur Muslims. The announcement, in cooperation with the European Union, Canada, the United Kingdom and others, is a collective motion of condemnation for Beijing’s repression of Uighur Muslims and other ethnic minorities in Xinjiang province. China has backtracked and announced sanctions against ten EU politicians and four entities for “maliciously spreading lies and misinformation.” This recent post will likely be a big topic of conversation when Chinese and Russian officials meet in Beijing this week, as both countries are embittered by sanctions from the international community.

And if you travel, will you be able to act like a normal person and not like a famous hermit of adventures who a year ago lived under the shadow of a pandemic?

They want you to do it, but only in specific stores and websites.

A reminder that it is only the month of March, and that there are MANY potential donuts.

Taste this crunchy and juicy American culture.

Damn, they don’t have to brag.

That’s how many unaccompanied migrant children were detained on the southern U.S. border between Feb. 28 and last Saturday, eclipsing the number of minors captured throughout February. Senior Biden administration officials traveled to Mexico yesterday to discuss migration management with government officials as the rise continues.

Houthi Deputy Foreign Minister Hussin Al-ezzi, reacting to Saudi Arabia’s reception of a proposal to end the six-year conflict in Yemen between the Saudi-led coalition and Iran-backed Houthi rebels. The plan also involves lifting a maritime and air blockade imposed by Saudi Arabia on the region.

With the time and talent it takes to make these sweet works of art, well, they are too beautiful to eat! Plus, they’re made of clay, so … they’re not edible anyway. (Click here to see it.)