5 things to know about 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 clinical trial based in the USA showed that the vaccine was 79% effective against symptomatic diseases and 100% effective against serious illness and hospitalization, although an independent US council has expressed concern about whether the data is complete. Still, the Biden administration will lend about 4 million doses of the AstraZeneca vaccine to Canada and Mexico, while the vaccines are pending approval in the United States. The President of South Korea has just received the AstraZeneca vaccine and, as of today, adults aged 65 and over across the country can also. While there is still concern that mass travel and meetings could fuel another outbreak in the United States, experts estimate that the use of the vaccine has already saved some 40,000 American lives.

Israelis are going to the polls today for the country’s fourth general election in less than two years. Political leaders have failed to form a decisive government after the last three elections, and there is no guarantee that it will be any different. Most likely, the vote will mainly serve as a referendum on Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. Although he has received praise for recent diplomatic deals and for dealing with the pandemic, the country’s leader for 15 years has also been on trial for bribery, fraud and breach of trust. Although Netanyahu’s Likud party is likely to come out on top this time, polls show that up to 13 parties can win seats in the 120-seat Knesset, which would make forming a cohesive government even more difficult.

White House advisers are expected to present a $ 3 trillion two-part infrastructure and jobs proposal to President Biden later this week. The massive plan is part of the economic agenda that Biden promised during his campaign and represents the second phase of his “rescue” and “recovery” strategy (after the coronavirus relief bill). One part of the new plan focuses on infrastructure and clean energy, and the other part on what is being called “care economics” – things like early childhood education and childcare. No final decision has been made on the plan, but Biden says he will work with Democrats in Congress to find the best way forward.

The United States and several international allies have announced coordinated sanctions against two Chinese officials for “serious human rights abuses” against Uighur Muslims. The announcement, in cooperation with the European Union, Canada and the United Kingdom and others, is a collective motion condemning Beijing’s crackdown on Uighur Muslims and other ethnic minorities in Xinjiang province. China responded immediately, announcing sanctions against 10 EU politicians and four entities for “spreading lies and misinformation maliciously”. This recent volley is likely to be a major topic of conversation when Chinese and Russian officials meet in Beijing this week, as the two countries are resentful of sanctions from the international community.

And if you travel, will you be able to act like a normal person and not like an adventurous hermit who has lived in the shadow of a pandemic for a year?

They want you to just do that – but only at specific stores and websites.

A reminder that it’s just March, and that’s a lot of potential donuts.

Taste that crispy and succulent American culture.

Wow, they don’t have to brag.

It is more or less the number of unaccompanied migrant children detained on the southern border of the United States between February 28 and last Saturday, eclipsing the number of minors detained throughout the month of February. Biden government officials traveled to Mexico yesterday to discuss migration management with government officials as the increase continues.

Houthi Deputy Foreign Minister Hussin Al-ezzi, reacting to Saudi Arabia’s embrace 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 Saudi-imposed sea and air blockade in region.

With the time and talent needed to make these beautiful works of art, well, they are too beautiful to eat! Also, they are made of clay, so … they are definitely not edible in any way. (Click here to view.)