Wednesday, November 17th, 2021
Weather Evacuations, Promising Covid Pills & Times Square’s NYE
All the news you need in about 10 min:
This episode is brought to you by BetterHelp.com/newsworthy and kiwico.com (Listen for the discount code)
Story Summaries
All the news stories mentioned in today's episode are listed with links below, so you can spend as much -- or as little -- time as you want reading about the latest happenings…
MT, WY, CO Wildfires
The Rocky Mountain region of the U.S. is dealing with another rash of wildfires this week. People have had to evacuate in Montana, Wyoming, and Colorado. Strong winds have made fires more dangerous. In parts of Wyoming, wind gusts have topped 100 miles an hour this week. At least one person died from the fire there so far, and many more people and homes are threatened. One wildfire that started yesterday is now bearing down on the Colorado resort town of Estes Park. Fire crews have kept trying to fight it all night and into the morning.
Read More: AP, Denver Post, ABC News, CBS News, NIFC
Canada Flooding, Mudslides
Parts of the Pacific Northwest and Canada are experiencing heavy rains, flooding, and mudslides. Thousands have had to leave their homes, and hundreds needed to be rescued. Flooding also forced the closure of the Trans Mountain pipeline that takes crude from Alberta to the Pacific coast. And, it prompted a major roadway connection between the U.S. and Canada to shut down in both directions. Heavy rain has been the biggest issue, and more rain is expected to fall later this week.
Read More: Weather Channel, Reuters, NY Times, WaPo
Violence on Poland-Belarus Border
The migrant crisis in Eastern Europe seems to be getting even worse. For weeks, thousands of migrants, mostly from the Middle East, have been stranded at the border between Poland and Belarus in terrible conditions. This week, many of them got violent as they tried crossing into Poland, throwing stones and other objects at the forces guarding the border. Polish authorities responded with water cannons and tear gas to push the migrants back. The European Union accuses Belarus of purposely causing a crisis in retaliation for economic sanctions. Belarus denies that and says the real issue is the EU keeping migrants out.
Read More: CNN, Fox News, WaPo, BBC, AP
Europe Toughens Covid Rules
Europe is starting to push more people to get vaccinated against Covid-19 now that it’s seeing another virus surge across the continent. Last week, Europe made up more than half of new Covid-19 cases around the world and about half of the latest deaths. Now, unvaccinated people in Austria are under lockdown. Germany says vaccinated people need to test negative for Covid-19 before getting on buses or trains. Further east, Covid-19 outbreaks are easing up in Asia. So now, India says it will let vaccinated foreign visitors into the country for the first time in 20 months.
Read More: NY Times, Reuters, NPR, WSJ
Pfizer Requests COVID Pill Authorization
This week, Pfizer became the second drugmaker to ask the FDA to authorize a pill to treat Covid-19. Merck applied for the same authorization last month for a different Covid-19 pill. Unlike other treatment options out there, these pills could be available in pharmacies and taken at home. Both pills are meant to be given soon after Covid-19 symptoms pop up for five days. However, doctors and medical experts need to review each pill’s trial results. The FDA also needs to say who could be eligible to get them.
Read More: CNBC, NY Times, Fox Business, Stat, Pfizer
VR for Chronic Pain
There's now a new prescription treatment option for chronic back pain: virtual reality. The FDA authorized a therapy called EaseVRx. It’s meant to help with breathing exercises. It treats pain through relaxation, distraction, and helping people recognize and understand their thought patterns and emotions. A study found two-thirds of the people with chronic low back pain who used the virtual reality option had less pain because of the treatment. Included are a VR headset, controller, and a breathing amplifier that directs the user’s breath toward the headset’s microphone.
Read More: The Verge, Reuters, Daily Mail, FDA
Coffee and Tea Could Lower Stroke, Dementia Risk
A new study found coffee and tea may be linked to a lower risk of stroke and dementia. Hundreds of thousands of people, ages 50 to 74, were followed for 11 years. Researchers found those who drank 2-3 cups of coffee or 3-5 cups of tea a day fared the best. However, researchers also found people who drank 7-8 cups of coffee a day were at a higher risk of a stroke than people who didn’t drink any. All this said, researchers say this only shows a potential link between drinking coffee and tea and avoiding stroke and dementia. Experts still say age, genetics, and lifestyle have the biggest effect on our brains.
Read More: The Guardian, CNN, Gizmodo, PLOS
UN Responds to Elon Musk Challenge
The world’s wealthiest man, Elon Musk, tweeted that he would donate $6 billion “right now” if the United Nations’ World Food Program could detail how it would use the money to “solve world hunger.” Well, the World Food Program did release a plan this week. The breakdown shows how $6.6 billion would go to save 42 million people from famine in 2022. This social media back-and-forth began last month when the WFP first called on Musk to donate 4% of his net worth. At this point, it’s not clear if Musk has seen the latest plan.
Read More: The Hill, CBS News, Fox Business, Bloomberg, WFP
Retail Sales Climbing
New government data shows Americans are still spending money, despite inflation and the higher prices that come with it. As the U.S. Commerce Department reports, retail sales jumped in October for the third straight month. The rising cost of almost everything contributed to the higher numbers, but spending was even more than economists predicted. Even when adjusted for inflation, retail sales are up. The new numbers are a sign holiday sales could be up this season, too. Many shoppers are aware of the global supply chain issues, so they may have already started their holiday shopping.
Read More: Reuters, NY Times, WaPo, CNBC, WSJ, Census.Gov
Frida Kahlo Sales Record
One of the last paintings legendary artist Frida Kahlo ever created broke new records this week. Her self-portrait called “Diego y yo” sold for almost $35 million at auction. That's the highest price ever paid for Latin American art. The painting shows a teary-eyed Kahlo with a portrait of her husband, Diego Rivera, on her forehead. Kahlo is widely regarded as one of the greatest painters of the 20th century. She was made famous for her intimate self-portraits and for promoting indigenous Mexican culture through art.
Read More: Forbes, NY Times, WSJ, NBC News, Sotheby’s
Times Square NYE Plans
It seems the largest and most famous New Year’s Eve celebration in the U.S is back on. There's a plan to allow hundreds of thousands of people to once again gather in person in New York City's Times Square. Mayor Bill de Blasio says anyone who is fully vaccinated against Covid-19 is invited with no cap on the crowd. The only exceptions are for kids younger than five since they’re not yet eligible for the vaccine and for those who have a valid medical reason. However, they’ll still have to show proof of a negative Covid test. As always, if you won’t be there in person, you can still watch live on TV or online.
Read More: WNBC, NPR, CNN, Times Square
Work Wednesday: Portugal Bans Employee Contact Outside Working Hours
Portugal has now said bosses who reach out to their employees outside of working hours are breaking the law. The new “right to rest” laws apply to companies in the country with more than ten staff members. If bosses reach out to employees while they’re not contracted to be working, except in cases of rare emergencies, the companies could face fines. The new laws don’t stop there either. In jobs where remote work is possible, staff with children can work from home without getting prior permission until their child turns eight. Also, companies are expected to pitch in to help pay for any employees’ work-from-home expenses, like electricity and internet.
Read More: CNBC, BBC, The Guardian, CNN