Biden to increase supply of virus pill
The United States government doubled its order for Pfizer’s COVID pills on Tuesday, a move that will modestly increase the nation’s very limited supplies of the treatment in the short term amid a record-setting surge in coronavirus cases. The new order will eventually provide enough pills for an additional 10 million Americans. But they will not all be available right away. Only 35,000 of the additional courses will be delivered this month, and 50,000 more in February, supplementing 350,000 treatment courses that were already expected over the next two months, according to a senior administration official.
Virginia drivers are freed after snowy ordeal
Emergency crews on Tuesday afternoon freed the last of hundreds of drivers stranded by a snowstorm on Interstate 95 in Virginia, after more than 24 shivering hours. A 40-mile stretch of the highway — one of the busiest travel corridors in the United States — came to a standstill overnight after a fast-falling snowstorm led to jackknifed tractor-trailers and hundreds of other accidents. Some people abandoned their cars. Many, including a U.S. senator, spent the night on the snowy highway. With slick roadways still possible, the Virginia Department of Transportation said drivers should avoid unnecessary travel overnight and Wednesday morning.
Trump cancels Jan. 6 event
Donald Trump on Tuesday abruptly canceled a news conference that he had scheduled for Thursday evening on the one-year anniversary of the breaching of the U.S. Capitol. Trump’s initial decision to counterprogram the remembrance events to be held on Capitol Hill had drawn immediate concern from Republicans and allies, who questioned the wisdom of his seizing the spotlight for himself, saying it would be a needless and harmful distraction. Republicans, including Trump in a statement on Tuesday, have tried to divert attention from the fact that it was the former president’s supporters who turned violent.
US charges a suspect in assassination of Haiti’s president
The United States has charged a retired Colombian commando with taking part in the assassination of President Jovenel Moïse of Haiti — the first suspect to face U.S. prosecution in the crime. Mario Palacios was detained in Panama on Monday and flown from there to Miami, after previously agreeing to cooperate with U.S. law enforcement, according to federal prosecutors. He appeared before a judge Tuesday and was charged with conspiring to kidnap or kill outside the United States. He was held without bond. Moïse was gunned down in his home July 7.
Palestinian prisoner’s hunger strike leads to deal for release
Abu Hawash, 40, was in his 141st day of a hunger strike, the latest Palestinian prisoner to take drastic measures to protest his open-ended detention by Israeli military authorities without charge or trial. On Tuesday, his protest came to an end after Israeli and Palestinian officials reached a deal to release him next month. After days of protests calling for his release and mounting fears in Israel of widespread unrest if he died in custody, the government capitulated. According to the deal, Abu Hawash will remain in the hospital until Feb. 26. The Palestinian Authority agreed “to guarantee he will not return to terrorism.”
NKorea launches ballistic missile, SKorea says
North Korea launched a ballistic missile off its east coast local time today, the South Korean military said, days after the North’s leader, Kim Jong Un, said his country should focus on bolstering food production in the new year while continuing to strengthen its military power. South Korea’s military said its analysts and U.S. officials were studying the trajectory and other flight data of the missile to learn more. When North Korea last conducted a missile test, on Oct. 19, it tested a newly developed submarine-launched ballistic missile off its east coast in violation of multiple U.N. Security Council resolutions.
Ireland puts minimum price on alcohol to curb binge drinking
Ireland’s government imposed a minimum unit price on alcoholic beverages Tuesday, one of a handful of nations to introduce such a rule as part of a raft of public health measures intended to curb binge drinking and reduce alcohol-related health issues. The rule means stores, restaurants and pubs must now sell drinks containing alcohol for no less than about 10 cents per gram of the substance.
Biden says deal with telecoms avoids flight disruptions
AT&T and Verizon have agreed to delay the launch of a new slice of 5G service by two weeks after airlines and the nation’s aviation regulator complained about potential interference with systems on board planes. President Joe Biden said the agreement reached Monday will help avoid further disrupting flights that bad weather and the surging coronavirus have already delayed and canceled by the thousands over the past several days. The telecom giants agreed to delay today’s planned launch of the new C-Band strand of 5G, which promises faster speeds for customers, in order to implement changes around airports. They still dismiss concerns that it could negatively affect aviation equipment.