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1. Impeachment
The second impeachment trial of former President Trump begins today. Here’s how it goes: Things will start in the afternoon with up to four hours of debate, followed by a vote on the constitutionality of the trial (it just needs a simple majority to pass). Then, we will see up to a few days of discussions, followed by a period in which senators can question the legal teams. Then there will be more debate, closing arguments and deliberation. During the trial, senators and witnesses will revisit the events of the Capitol rebellion on January 6, so things can get exciting. Senator Patrick Leahy, president pro tempore of the Senate, will preside over the trial. Security around the Capitol is being strengthened before the proceedings, with barbed wire fences approaching and members of the National Guard waiting.
2. Coronavirus
School districts in the United States are considering plans to restart face-to-face learning, including at some high schools in New York City. But experts warn that it is extremely risky for state and local leaders to lift Covid-19 restrictions now because of the growing threat of coronavirus variants. In fact, the Biden administration is considering further restrictions, such as a Covid-19 test requirement for domestic air travel. Meanwhile, other countries are seeing some improvements: Germany is seeing a drop in Covid-19 incidence rates and Iran and Peru are launching new vaccine initiatives. Pharmaceutical company Pfizer says it has increased its production rate to double vaccine production and keep up with demand. In the United States, the coronavirus claimed the lives of Republican Congressman Ron Wright, the first effective member of Congress to die after contracting the virus.
3. Stimulus
14th March. This is the date that Democratic lawmakers hope to finally pass the long-awaited coronavirus relief bill. However, there is much to do before that. The House committees intend to take their parts of the bill to the Budget Committee by February 16. Then, in the Senate, Democrats need the support of lawmakers who may be sitting on the fence about some provisions, like Senator Joe Manchin, who has argued against the $ 15 minimum wage increase included in the law and disagrees with some limits of income proposed for that $ 1,400 stimulus check.
4. Myanmar
Myanmar’s new military junta warned the public not to “destroy” democracy, despite nullifying the results of democratic elections when it took power last week. In the past four days, tens of thousands of people took part in protests against the February 1 coup. In response, the military imposed new restrictions on public meetings and instituted a curfew for major cities. He also warned that anyone who breaks these rules or continues to protest can suffer consequences. A United Nations spokesman called the Myanmar junta’s new measures “worrying.”
5. North Korea
North Korean hackers stole hundreds of millions of dollars in 2020 to fund the country’s nuclear and ballistic missile programs, according to a confidential United Nations report. The report says that the regime of North Korean leader Kim Jong Un encouraged these operations to pay for weapons that violate international law and to help the country’s economy stay afloat. According to some estimates, hackers stole $ 316.4 million worth of virtual assets between 2019 and last November. Now, at least one unidentified country has said it is “highly likely” that North Korea could mount a nuclear device for a ballistic missile of any range. The report containing this information has not yet been released and it is not clear how North Korea and other countries will respond to the leak.
BREAKFAST RESEARCH
Tom Brady’s GOAT status is capturing the imagination of the world
Who would have thought that the unassuming Michigan boy would end up seven times the Super Bowl champion?
This Mississippi city will pay you a monthly stipend and relocation costs to move there
River views, southern sunsets and minimum cost of living? Seems pretty good.
This woman used Gorilla Glue instead of hair spray. She ended up in the hospital
A woman won a 6-digit lottery prize. The next day, she won again
Some people are literally very lucky.
Chris Hemsworth’s stuntman says he’s struggling to keep up with the star’s muscle buildup
Imagine trying to match the exercise routine of a guy who plays a literal god.
IN MEMORY
Mary Wilson, founding member of “The Supremes”, died at the age of 76. In addition to breaking gender, racial and social barriers with the legendary Motown group, Wilson was also a bestselling author, motivational speaker, businesswoman and cultural ambassador in the United States.
PERSEVERANCE PROFILES
February is the month of black history, and every day we highlight black pioneers in American history. Find out more here.
Charles Richard Drew, scientist, 1904-1950
Drew is known as the “father of the blood bank” for his hand in developing America’s first large-scale blood bank program in the 1940s. Before that, Drew was the first black student to obtain a doctorate in medicine from Columbia University, where his interest in the science of blood transfusions led him to an innovative work that separates plasma from blood. This made it possible to store blood for a week – a major breakthrough for doctors who treated wounded soldiers in World War II.
TODAY’S NUMBER
14
That’s how many people died last week in avalanches in the United States, setting a tragic and unusual record.
TODAY’S QUOTES
“It is very sad where we are as a country, but we will continue to fight to save our country from this would-be dictator.”
Velina Élysées Charlier, a Haitian activist, who is one of many criticizing Haitian President Jovenel Moise and calling for his removal. Moise was due to step down at the weekend according to the constitutional limits of the mandates, but Moise argued that he will get another year in office due to a technical detail of time. People are now asking the Supreme Court of Haiti to install a transitional government and force Moise to leave.
TODAY’S CLIMATE
Check your local forecast here >>>
AND FINALLY
Pittypittypat
Everyone deserves something that makes them as happy as this drum makes this bird. (Click here to view.)