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1. Winter weather
Winter weather continues to wreak havoc in the US, with forecasts predicting more ice and low temperatures in the future in the worst-hit countries. Texas, which rarely cools so hard, has been hit particularly hard. Cold temperatures have increased both energy demand and frozen or overloaded energy sources, leaving millions of people in the dark and struggling to warm up. The situation could have far-reaching implications as the US energy industry seeks to reduce carbon emissions in response to the climate crisis. Another consequence of bad weather: many cities and states have taken a break from vaccination efforts. The winter storm killed at least 26 people.
2. Joe Biden
President Joe Biden set a new deadline for a CNN town hall last night: by the end of July, the United States will have enough doses of Covid-19 vaccine to vaccinate every American. He also said that the nation could hope to return to normal by next Christmas, adding that it does not want to make too many promises. Those questions were among several that Biden addressed in his first mayoralty as president. He also clarified the confusion over the reopening of schools, defended a call for a minimum wage increase and insisted that the country is not divided. If you missed it, Chris Cillizza from CNN has a few meals about what mattered most. Overall, Biden said that “the days of denying the presidential pandemic and indifference to America’s suffering are over,” writes CNN’s Stephen Collinson.
3. Coronavirus
New York’s Democratic government, Andrew Cuomo, was announced as an example of a leadership manual in crisis last year, with its clear-eyed coronavirus sessions and passionate calls to the federal government for more medical supplies. He even wrote a book that teaches leadership lessons. Now, all this is under discussion. Cuomo is at the center of a controversy over Covid-19 deaths in nursing homes, how they were counted and how his administration handled requests for such data. A top adviser told state lawmakers earlier this month that his administration had delayed disclosing data on nursing homes because of concerns about a potential federal Trump administration investigation. Cuomo acknowledged some mistakes this week, but ultimately defended the decision to delay the release of death data. Lawmakers on both sides called for an inquiry and limitations on its executive powers.
4. Trump
The results of Donald Trump’s second removal process continue. The former president followed Senate minority leader Mitch McConnell on Tuesday, who offered a scathing critique of Trump immediately after he voted to acquit him. Trump’s insults to McConnell come as the Republican Party generally fights over the continuation of Trump’s resemblance or forging a path away from the former president’s legacy. In other news, Trump’s longtime personal lawyer, Rudy Giuliani, does not currently represent the former president in legal matters, a counselor said. Trump faces multiple criminal investigations, marital status investigations and defamation lawsuits by two women who accuse him of sexual assault.
5. China
A US Navy warship sailed on China’s claimed islands in the South China Sea. It is the second such voyage in several weeks and comes as the Biden administration intensifies its US military presence in disputed waters. Vietnam, Taiwan and the Philippines also have claims in the Spratly Islands, where the American destroyer of guided missiles has approached. Since taking office, the Biden administration has reaffirmed its commitment to US allies and partners in the region, as well as to protecting a free and open Indo-Pacific. China claims that US naval operations in the South China Sea are igniting tensions and violating its sovereignty.
ANSWER TO BREAKFAST
Rihanna posed topless wearing a pendant depicting the Hindu god Ganesha and some people are not happy
Some Hindus accuse the singer of cultural appropriation and religious insensitivity.
Johnny Pacheco, who popularized salsa music in the United States, dies at the age of 85
His contributions to the genre earned him the title of “godfather of salsa”.
Slavery repairs could reduce Covid-19 transmission and deaths in the US, says Harvard study
It is another strong argument in the case of compensation.
California condors at Oregon Zoo have laid nine eggs – a much-needed boost for endangered species
Fingers all hatch into sweet chicks.
Tourists taking selfies could spread Covid-19 to endangered gorillas
A friendly reminder for all visitors to the zoo: Please wear a mask.
THIS ONLY IN
Dozens of students feared abducted after gunmen raid Nigerian school
At least one person died in the attack, a witness told CNN.
PROFILES IN PERSEVERANCE
February is Black History Month, and every day we highlight black pioneers in American history. Find out more here.
Marsha P. Johnson, gay rights activist and transgender, 1945-1992
When police attacked the New York gay bar, known as the Stonewall Inn, in 1969, Johnson was said to be among the first to resist. The following year, she marched to the city’s first Gay Pride event. She helped open a shelter for LGBTQ youth and advocated for sex workers and those living with HIV / AIDS. Her activism made her a minor celebrity among artists and gamblers in Lower Manhattan.
TODAY’S NUMBER
$ 500 million
This is how much Citibank tried to recover after erroneously connecting a very large amount of creditors to the cosmetics company Revlon last year. On Tuesday, a judge ruled that the bank could not recover the money.
TODAY’S PRESENT
– I’m a hostage.
Sheikha Latifa gave birth to Mohammed Al Maktoum, the daughter of the billionaire governor of Dubai, who appears in secret recordings claiming that she is detained in a villa transformed into a prison without access to medical care, according to a BBC documentary.
TODAY’S WEATHER
Check 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 understand your state? (Click here to view.)