Coronavirus
An increasing number of European countries are temporarily halting the rollout of the AstraZeneca vaccine after reports of a couple of cases of blood clots in people who have received the shot. The suspensions go contrary to the advice of global medical agencies, which say there’s no evidence the vaccine is connected to clotting and that rollouts should continue while the reports have been researched. These concerns come in a pretty bad time for Europe, as a third wave of infections threatens to grip the continent. Meanwhile, in america, experts say a regarding version is about to become dominant. And the American Red Cross reports about 1 in 5 blood contributions from unvaccinated people have Covid-19 carcinogens, meaning those donors had likely been infected with the coronavirus at some point.
Immigration
President Biden is facing gram rowing political tension over his administration’s plan on the US-Mexico border. Republicans are calling the situation that the failure of Biden’s leadership, while some Democrats are suggesting that detaining families and children in temporary facilities is no better than how Trump handled migrant kids while in office. Over 4,000 children are stuck in Border Patrol-run centers, which are akin to jail-like states, for extended periods since there is not sufficient shelter space to adequately care for them. There are a few variables behind the spike: Evidence from 2 hurricanes last year, the toll of the pandemic and the understanding that authorities is now more relaxed. However, CNN’s Stephen Collinson writes, the issue is fast becoming a political crisis for its new President.
North Korea
The Biden government recently said it had started reaching out to North Korea, but Pyongyang was unresponsive. Now, the sister of North Korea’s leader is warning that the US against”causing a stink at its first step.” That warning comes as the US and South Korea conduct scaled-down, simulated military exercises. But even before that message, specialists had said North Korea was going to deny diplomatic efforts for its time-being for a range of reasons, including the coronavirus pandemic, the Biden team’s continuing North Korea policy review, meetings in the region along with the administration’s rhetoric.
Capitol riot
Two guys have been arrested and charged with attacking US Capitol Police Officer Brian Sicknick, who died after reacting to hundreds of rioters who stormed the Capitol on January 6. Federal authorities said that they were pursuing a murder investigation in fourteen days following Sicknick’s departure. But they fought to construct a national murder case as they de ored more than videos and graphics hoping to ascertain the moment where he suffered his fatal injuries. Neither of those alleged rioters ended up being charged with murder. In another case, a 16-year-old testified against her dad in court regarding his resolve to take part in the Capitol insurrection. It is among the most searing examples of how close family members and friends have helped police in investigating the riot.
Vatican
The Vatican says it will not bless same-sex unions, writing in a statement accepted by Pope Francis that God”doesn’t and cannot bless sin.” The decision is a major disappointment for LGBTQ Catholics, one which threatens to widen the rift between LGBTQ people and the church. Additionally, it is very likely to alarm Catholics who had hoped to find a more open and innovative Catholic leadership beneath Pope Francis. The Pope past year in a meeting seemed to advocate for civil marriage laws for same-sex couples. However, the Vatican quickly tried to describe the remarks, saying they had been removed from context and didn’t signify a change in philosophy.
