“This past weekend, Tiger Woods was hopeful for the possibility of playing at the Masters this year. Now, he's recovering from a car crash that he's fortunate to have survived, according to the deputy who responded to the scene. Woods, 45, underwent emergency surgery on Tuesday to repair significant damage to his right leg and ankle, after he was involved in a one-car crash in Rancho Palos Verdes, near Los Angeles, that morning. Woods' team said in a statement that the golfer was "awake, responsive and recovering in his hospital room" at Harbor-UCLA Medical Center. Anish Mahajan, the chief medical officer and interim CEO at the hospital, said that Woods had multiple open fractures affecting both the upper and lower portions of his right tibia and fibula, the two main bones in the lower leg. The bones were stabilized ‘by inserting a rod into the tibia,’ he added.” Read more at USA Today
Steven Sund, former Capitol chief of police, hugs Carneysha Mendoza, captain of the Capitol Police, while arriving to a congressional hearing today. Photo: Andrew Harnik/AP
“All three of the former top officials responsible for security on Capitol Hill testified today that they didn't get the FBI memo warning of violence and ‘war’ on Jan. 6.
Why it matters: The testimony came during the first in a series of congressional oversight hearings on security and law enforcement failures before and during the insurrection, reports Axios' Ursula Perano.
Former U.S. Capitol Police Chief Steven Sund said a member of the intelligence division at USCP did review the memo — but that ‘it didn't go any further than that.’
What they're saying: Sund and former House Sergeant-at-Arms Paul Irving clashed over the timing of asking for National Guard assistance.
Sund says he asked for National Guard assistance at 1:09 pm, but that Irving did not approve the assistance until 2:10pm.
Irving says he has no recollection of receiving the request for approval until after 2 pm.
Sund, Irving and former Senate Sergeant-at-Arms Michael Stenger all resigned after the insurrection.
Between the lines: The chief of D.C.'s police department blamed the Pentagon for the slow response, the N.Y. Times notes.
‘I was stunned at the response from Department of the Army,’ Chief Robert Contee said.
What's next: Sen. Amy Klobuchar (D-Minn.) said officials serving in the Pentagon at the time of the insurrection will testify next week about their response to the breach.” Read more at Axios
Scott Wong and Mike Lills: The Hill: Five big takeaways on the Capitol security hearings.
“Top administrative officials will detail the damage to the U.S. Capitol in the aftermath of the Jan. 6 attack, including chemical damage to presidential statues and the destruction of the inauguration platform. In prepared testimony, House of Representatives Curator Farar Elliott will tell lawmakers her department needs at least $25,000 for the emergency repairs and conservation of historical artifacts — including potential chemical damage to statues and paintings of past U.S. presidents such as Thomas Jefferson, John Quincy Adams and James Madison. The hearing comes as several congressional panels investigate the riot, which left five dead and resulted in multiple injuries. On Tuesday, senators pressed current and former law enforcement officials on the security and intelligence failures.” Read more at USA Today
“An attorney for an Ohio militia member charged with conspiracy walked back a controversial claim that implied Jessica Watkins met with the U.S. Secret Service about working security for the Jan. 6 rally for then-President Donald Trump before Watkins participated in the Capitol riot.
The lawyer’s original motion, filed over the weekend, raised questions about whether the Secret Service had coordinated rally security with paramilitary groups that later stormed the U.S. Capitol.
Federal authorities allege Watkins coordinated with a group of at least eight other people who wore tactical gear and helmets and marched in military fashion into the Capitol. Hundreds of rioters stormed the building, sending lawmakers fleeing and leaving five people dead.
The Secret Service wasted no time rejecting the original claim that it had worked with Watkins or any private citizens on security for the rally. The agency said it relied only on the assistance of government partners.
‘Any assertion that the Secret Service employed private citizens to perform those functions is false,’ the agency said Monday.
Watkins’ federal public defender filed a ‘clarification’ later on Monday saying the motion never meant to imply Watkins met with the Secret Service.
‘A better verb would have been ‘encountered,’’ the motion said. Agents at the check-in point for the rally’s VIP area told Watkins what she could and couldn’t do inside, and told her to leave all her tactical gear outside. The clarified motion stated: ‘Ms. Watkins does not suggest that she has any direct knowledge that her role as security was sanctioned by anyone other than people involved in organizing the rally.’
Watkins is jailed in Washington, D.C., charged with conspiring with eight others accused of taking part in the Capitol riot. The FBI says they’re members or affiliates of the Oath Keepers, an extremist group that recruits former military, law enforcement and first responders.” Read more at USA Today
“Representative Liz Cheney, who is the No. 3 House Republican and voted to impeach Trump this month, redoubled her criticism of Trump’s role in the riot. She also called on her party to reject white supremacy.” Read more at New York Times
“Global virus cases have been declining for six straight weeks, according to the World Health Organization. Still, the world last week saw 2.4 million new cases and 66,000 new deaths. In the US, a trio of major drug companies has promised a total of 240 million vaccine doses by the end of March, enough to fully vaccinate about a third of the US population. A fourth vaccine could also pass FDA scrutiny by April. Russia has opened seven vaccine production centers around the country, and China may be on the brink of approving another vaccine as well. This is all good news, but experts still worry about all those coronavirus variants and say such cases could lead to another surge in the US in coming weeks. But hopefully, any spike would subside by summer.” Read more at CNN
“FDA to release its review of J&J's single-dose Covid-19 vaccine. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration plans to disclose its detailed analysis of Johnson & Johnson’s vaccine today, a key step that could lead to authorization of the shot’s deployment.” Read more at Wall Street Journal
“Pfizer, Moderna and Johnson & Johnson say they will produce enough doses by the end of next month to vaccinate about 130 million people in the U.S. — roughly half of all adults.” Read more at New York Times
“The F.D.A. will allow the Pfizer vaccines to be stored in standard freezers, expanding the number of sites that can administer the shot. The company has said the shots can last for two weeks.” Read more at New York Times
“Almost a month after the European Union slapped export controls on coronavirus vaccines in a desperate attempt to get its immunization program back on track, its supply outlook finally looks brighter.
Having now secured extra doses from Pfizer and Moderna, the 27-member bloc may be able to inoculate three-quarters of its 450 million people by the end of August, James Paton, Nikos Chrysoloras and Tim Loh report.
But it has a lot of ground to make up. While the U.K., with Europe’s highest death toll, has administered more than 27 doses per 100 people and the U.S. 20, the EU has so far injected just six.
The cost in human lives is mounting, while failure to achieve vaccination targets also leaves Europe vulnerable to a sputtering economic recovery and at risk of falling behind nations that handle their rollouts more effectively.
With officials in Brussels warning the 75% inoculation rate may not be enough to stop the virus as new variants emerge, the real challenge is fighting both public doubt and logistical hurdles to get needles into people’s arms.
In Bulgaria, where distrust is widespread, one hospital reported only about a third of those scheduled to receive shots showed up. Health workers from Germany to France and Italy are also reluctant to embrace the AstraZeneca shot over concerns of side effects and belief in its potency. German officials are warning of a “traffic jam” at vaccination centers.
Cases are spiking again across the continent. Chancellor Angela Merkel warned yesterday that a third wave of the virus has already arrived in Germany, while officials in neighboring Czech Republic said the health-care system is nearing “total exhaustion.”
The vaccines can’t come soon enough.” — Michael Winfrey Read more at Bloomberg
“The Supreme Court on Wednesday will hear arguments in a California DUI case that has sweeping implications for police power in the U.S. The question at issue: When can police enter a home without a warrant? Police are generally required to have a warrant under the 4th Amendment's prohibition on "unreasonable searches." But courts have allowed exceptions when an officer is in "hot pursuit" of a suspect believed to have committed a felony, and a few states have extended the exception to misdemeanor pursuits. Civil liberty groups say the case could vastly expand police powers, allowing home entry for a wide array of minor offenses.” Read more at USA Today
“Biden to address chip shortages and supply problems with executive action. The president plans to order a broad review of supply chains for critical materials from semiconductors to pharmaceuticals and rare-earth minerals, aiming to spur domestic production while strengthening ties with allies.” Read more at Wall Street Journal
AP: “Judge bans enforcement of Biden’s 100-day deportation pause”
“A federal judge late Tuesday indefinitely banned President Joe Biden’s administration from enforcing a 100-day moratorium on most deportations. U.S. District Judge Drew Tipton issued a preliminary injunction sought by Texas, which argued the moratorium violated federal law and risked imposing additional costs on the state.
“Biden proposed the 100-day pause on deportations during his campaign as part of a larger review of immigration enforcement and an attempt to reverse the priorities of former President Donald Trump. Biden has proposed a sweeping immigration bill that would allow the legalization of an estimated 11 million people living in the U.S. illegally. He has also instituted other guidelines on whom immigration and border agents should target for enforcement.”
“Hong Kong’s government has moved to introduce new requirements for public officials, including that they swear loyalty oaths and embrace Beijing's rule over the city. Anyone who fails to take the oath or is deemed to have done so in an insincere fashion would be immediately disqualified from office and banned from running in elections for the next five years, a top official said. The new rule could shred the last vestiges of democracy in the self-governing city. Similar loyalty tests have already been used to disqualify multiple pro-democracy candidates and remove democratically elected lawmakers.” Read more at CNN
“Tax increases for high earners are on the table. Governors in New York, Minnesota and elsewhere want to impose higher income and capital-gains taxes on the states’ wealthiest residents to fortify pandemic-weakened budgets.” Read more at Wall Street Journal
“Dozens of protesters gathered in Rochester, New York, after a grand jury voted not to indict any officers involved in the March death of Daniel Prude. The 41-year-old Black man was having a mental health episode when officers handcuffed him, covered his head and held him on the ground. His death a week later was one of several that spurred worldwide racial justice protests last year. New York's attorney general says a judge granted her request to release the grand jury minutes to the public. In Northern California, a new episode of pain is unfolding: The family of 30-year-old Angelo Quinto has filed a wrongful death claim, saying Quinto died days after police officers kneeled on the back of his neck for nearly five minutes to subdue him during a mental health episode in December.” Read more at CNN
“The mother of Ahmaud Arbery, the 25-year-old Black man shot and killed one year ago in Georgia, filed a civil lawsuit accusing the men indicted in her son's death — and the involved police officers — of conspiring to kill Arbery and violating his civil rights.” Read more at Axios
“A record number of U.S. adults — 5.6% — identify as LGBTQ, an increase propelled by a younger generation staking out its presence in the world, a poll released Wednesday shows . The survey by Gallup marks more than a 1 percentage point jump from the last poll in 2017 in which 4.5% of adults identified as LGBTQ. The estimated 18 million adults who identify as LGBTQ represent an upward trajectory since Gallup started tracking identification in 2012, Gallup senior editor Jeff Jones said. “It reflects what we are seeing in society and the way society is changing,” he said. One of the biggest headlines in the 2020 poll is the emergence of Generation Z adults, those 18 to 23: 1 in 6, or 15.9%, identify as LGBTQ.” Read more at USA Today
“The Senate has confirmed Tom Vilsack as President Biden's agriculture secretary, sending the former Iowa governor to the same Cabinet position he served for the entirety of the Obama administration. Today, two key Senate committees are expected to vote on whether to advance a more controversial pick: Neera Tanden, Biden’s Office of Management and Budget director nominee. Tanden has angered Republicans with her outspoken tweets and has sparred with some progressives, so it’s unclear whether she’ll have enough votes to get over the line. Meanwhile, Senate Republicans are gearing up to fight Biden’s $1.9 trillion coronavirus relief plan. Many are hoping to cast it as an example of liberal overreach. But if it passes -- and works -- they could end up with egg on their faces.” Read more at CNN
“President Joe Biden's nominee for CIA director will go before the Senate intelligence committee on Wednesday for his confirmation hearing. William Burns , 64, is a career ambassador and former deputy secretary of state with nearly four decades of experience negotiating with U.S. adversaries. If confirmed, Burns would take the helm of the CIA at a time of escalating threats from China, Russia and Iran. He's likely to face questions Wednesday about the SolarWinds cyber attack, the Russia-linked intrusion into the networks of U.S. government agencies and private companies.” Read more at USA Today
“Donald Trump and his allies are putting President Joe Biden’s sweeping immigration overhaul in their crosshairs.
The main salvo will be delivered this weekend when Trump is set to address the Conservative Political Action Conference and devote part of his speech to the topic. But days before then, the architect of Trump’s immigration policy, Stephen Miller, will discuss the issue with conservative House members as they organize their opposition to Biden’s planned changes to Trump-era immigration regulations and his recently unveiled blueprint for comprehensive immigration reform legislation.” Read more at POLITICO
“Federal economists have projected growth from 2019-2029, Erica Pandey writes from BLS data reported by N.Y. Times Upshot.
Low-skilled, low-wage jobs requiring a high school diploma or less are getting hit hardest — underscoring the need to train and upskill the U.S. workforce post-pandemic.
The booms:
The job of epidemiologist is projected to grow by 25% by 2029, meaning there'll be 25% more epidemiologists than there would have been without the pandemic.
Medical scientists: 23% growth.
Web developers: 11%.
Biochemists, biophysicists: 10%.
Computer systems administrators: 10%.
The busts:
The job of restaurant host or hostess is expected to decline 24% by 2029, meaning 24% fewer hosts and hostesses than there would have been sans pandemic.
Bartenders: –19%.
Travel, ticket agents: –17%.
Hotel, motel clerks: –16%.
Servers: –16%
Read more at Axios
Texas electricity bills were $28 billion higher under deregulation. Competition in the electricity-supply business promised reliable power at a more affordable cost but for the past 20 years the state's consumers have paid more for their electricity, a WSJ investigation found. Read more at Wall Street Journal
“GameStop's CFO resigns. Jim Bell will resign as executive vice president and chief financial officer March 26, weeks after a social-media-led frenzy sent the company’s share price soaring, only for it to fall afterward. GameStop didn’t provide a reason for Bell’s departure.” Read more at Wall Street Journal
“Home Depot thrives but Macy's is sagging. Consumer demand for home improvements and falling interest in apparel has put the two retailers on opposite sides of the pandemic. Home Depot’s revenue increased 20% in the latest fiscal year, whereas annual sales tumbled nearly 30% at Macy's.” Read more at Wall Street Journal
“Illinois became the first state to eliminate cash bail, which often forces poor people to remain in jail while awaiting trial.” Read more at New York Times
“Female economists are asked 12 percent more questions than male economists at academic conferences — and more of the questions are patronizing or hostile, a study found.” Read more at New York Times
“With no way of paying tuition, Calvin E. Tyler Jr. dropped out of Morgan State in 1963 to become a UPS driver. He worked his way up to the company’s executive suite and has now pledged $20 million to fund scholarships at the historically Black university.” Read more at New York Times
“The Paris prosecutor’s office said on Tuesday that French actor Gerard Depardieu was charged in December with rape and sexual assault after authorities revived a 2018 investigation that was initially dropped.” Read more at USA Today
“Lawrence Ferlinghetti, the poet, publisher and political iconoclast who inspired and nurtured generations of San Francisco artists and writers from his renowned bookstore, City Lights, died on Monday at age 101.” Read more at New York Times
“Mars rover’s giant parachute carried secret message
The huge parachute used by NASA's Perseverance rover to land on Mars contained a secret message. Systems engineer Ian Clark used a binary code to spell out “Dare Mighty Things” in the orange and white strips of the 70-foot parachute. He also included the GPS coordinates for the Jet Propulsion Laboratory in Pasadena, California. Clark said only about six people knew about the encoded message before Thursday's landing. Clark says the fabric pattern was mainly for engineers to know how the parachute was oriented during descent. He said it didn't take long for space fans to figure it out.” Read more at AP
“Shailene Woodley has found the perfect match. The ‘Big Little Lies’ actress confirmed she'sengaged to Green Bay Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers.” Read more at USA Today
“In a landmark ruling, a Beijing divorce court has ordered a man to pay his wife for five years of unpaid housework during their marriage. The award does not amount to much, roughly $1,100 dollars per year, but marks a new era in Chinese divorce law after the government introduced a new civil code. Under the new code, an aggrieved spouse is entitled to seek compensation if they shouldered more domestic responsibilities—with no prenuptial agreement necessary.
The case follows a similar one in Argentina in 2019, when a divorce court ordered a husband to pay his wife of 27 years $179,000 in recognition of her unpaid domestic work.
According to Organisation for Economic Co-Operation and Development (OECD) figures, Chinese women spend roughly four hours per day on unpaid work—with their U.S. counterparts clocking in nearly the same amount. American men are closer to closing the gap than Chinese men, however. American men spending about 2.5 hours per day on unpaid labor, while Chinese men spend just 1.6 hours.” Read more at Foreign Policy