Homeland Security issues domestic terrorism alert due to ‘violent extremists’
The Department of Homeland Security issued a domestic terrorism alert cautioning the public of potential attacks from “violent extremists.”
covid-19
Planned Parenthood victory: Supreme Court nixes rulings that upheld Texas pandemic abortion ban
In a victory for Planned Parenthood, the U.S. Supreme Court on Monday overturned two lower court rulings that had sided with GOP officials in banning most abortion procedures in Texas in an effort to conserve medical resources at the onset of the coronavirus pandemic.
Declassified U.S. intelligence bolsters Wuhan lab theory in coronavirus outbreak
U.S. intelligence findings recently declassified by the State Department provide fresh evidence for the theory that the COVID-19 pandemic likely began at the Wuhan Institute of Virology, China’s sole high-security laboratory that has links to the country’s military.
Italy’s Prime Minister Giuseppe Conte resigns
Italian Prime Minister Giuseppe Conte resigned Tuesday after former PM Matteo Renzi pulled his Italia Viva party out of a deeply divided governing coalition, Sky News reports. Italy’s President Sergio Mattarella has asked Mr. Conte to stay on in a caretaker capacity while he begins consultations with the leaders of the other parties on Wednesday.
Massive Violence Erupts in Netherlands over Curfew
The Netherlands was edging closer to near civil war Monday as police clashed with protestors defying the nation’s first curfew since World War Two.
Biden signs executive order authorizing broader use of Defense Production Act to target COVID-19
Despite the U.S. last week averaged more than 912,000 daily vaccinations against COVIOD-19, President Biden said Thursday that “the rollout has been a dismal failure so far.”
Inaugurated President Biden Says “Democracy Prevails”
Joseph Robinette Biden, Jr. was inaugurated as the 46th president of the United States Wednesday, saying “democracy has prevailed.”
Incoming Biden administration hopes to quickly pass $1.9 trillion relief bill
The incoming Biden administration will work toward the speedy passage of its $1.9 trillion coronavirus relief plan, Voice of America reports.
A coalition of tech and health giants is working on a digital COVID-19 passport
A group of tech giants and health organizations are working together in developing a digital COVID-19 vaccination passport that would give holders access to countries and businesses requiring proof of inoculation, the Hill reports. Called the Vaccination Credential Initiative (VCI), the coalition includes Microsoft, Oracle, and the US nonprofit Mayo Clinic.
Experts Probing Virus Origin Quarantine in Wuhan As Pompeo Calls Again For Lab Scrutiny
International experts probing the origins of the novel coronavirus are holding virtual meetings from their Wuhan hotel rooms as they work their way through a mandatory 14-day quarantine period which began last Thursday, after the Chinese government eventually allowed the team to enter the outbreak epicenter city.
Joe Biden Undoing Trump Policies After Inauguration With Executive Orders
Joe Biden will sign a series of executive actions undoing U.S. President Donald J. Trump’s key policies within hours after taking the oath of office on Wednesday, his top aid says.
Biden official tells Honduran migrants: Don’t believe “lie” that US border is open
An official from the incoming Biden administration has told a caravan comprising thousands of Honduran migrants traveling to the US that they should not believe the “lie” that the United States border will be open next month, Reuters reports. While it is known that President-elect Joe Biden plans to reverse much of outgoing president Trump’s crackdown on immigration, the official said it will “take time” to implement the new policies.
German local authorities to open detention centers for people who repeatedly disobey quarantine rules
German regional authorities are opening detention centers in which to hold people who repeatedly refuse to quarantine after exposure to COVID-19, the Daily Mail reported Monday. Legal experts have said state governments are authorized to detain people for breaking quarantine rules under the Disease Protection Act, passed by the German Bundestag last March.
Israel is launching Covid immunity passports
Israel has been lauded for deploying what is currently the fastest Covid-19 vaccination campaign in the world.
Israeli medical company produces quick COVID test
An Israeli company has developed a test for the COVID-19 coronavirus which gives results in minutes.
Indonesia Earthquake Kills Scores Of People
Indonesian rescuers retrieved more bodies of a massive earthquake that killed scores of people in a nation already coping with a string of disasters.
Norway: Dozens Die After Receiving COVID Vaccine
Health authorities in Norway confirmed Saturday that 23 people died within days of receiving their first dose of Pfizer-BioNTech coronavirus vaccine.
Germany Searching For Leader As EU Governments Collapse
Europe searched for effective leadership Saturday after the collapse of several governments and an expected tough election for Germany’s next chancellor.
EU Governments Collapse Over Power Abuse, Corruption
Several European countries were without governments Friday after Cabinets collapsed over abuse of power and corruption charges.
Biden Unveiling $1.9T Plan to Stem Virus and Steady Economy
President-elect Joe Biden is unveiling a $1.9 trillion coronavirus plan Thursday to turn the tide on the pandemic, speeding up the vaccine rollout and providing financial help to individuals, states and local governments and businesses struggling with the prolonged economic fallout.