Economía en Cifras: ‘Remove Trump’ Chorus Grows

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Happy Friday! It took just one week to remind us that we didn't flip some magical switch when we left 2020 behind. For things to get better, we'll need to listen to the world's top public health experts. Luckily you'll meet them today and hear from the most famous of them all — Dr. Anthony Fauci — later on The Carlos Watson Show. Read about another global epidemic: police bias. And prepare for a unique year in sports while you travel the world with gorgeous documentaries.

Charu Sudan Kasturi, Senior Editor

News in a Minute

1. Both Sides Now

Democratic Party leaders Rep. Nancy Pelosi and Sen. Chuck Schumer are pushing to invoke the 25th Amendment to remove President Donald Trump from office for instigating the mob violence at the Capitol. Calls for Trump's impeachment are also growing. A police officer injured in the clashes died Thursday. And some of Trump's closest allies — like Education Secretary Betsy DeVos and Transportation Secretary Elaine Chao — have resigned. DeVos called the Wednesday attack an "inflection point." (Sources: NPR, NBC, WaPo)

2. Winter of Woe

Another day, another horror milestone. The U.S. yesterday registered more than 4,000 COVID-19 deaths, a record. Thailand, Japan and Taiwan toughened restrictions amid a rise in cases, while the World Health Organization pleaded with Europe to adopt a similar approach. Should the Biden administration enforce a national mask mandate on its first day in office? Vote on Twitter. (Sources: CNN, Guardian, BBC)

3. Mid-Air Deal

Boeing has reached a $2.5 billion deal with the U.S. Department of Justice to avoid prosecution for allegedly lying to regulators about safety concerns relating to two 737-Max plane crashes. Nearly 350 died in those incidents. (Source: WSJ)

4. New Wine Against Old Bottle

Pop singer Bobi Wine, the strongest political challenger to Ugandan dictator Yoweri Museveni, was hauled away by police yesterday in the middle of an online press conference. Wine said he would keep fighting to unseat Museveni, who has ruled since 1986. (Source: Al Jazeera)

Eminent Domain

So eminent that it's hard to give up. Leave.EU, the anti-European Union platform that campaigned for Brexit, has relocated from Britain to Iceland in order to retain its domain name. Be careful Reykjavik — you don't want to become Wreck-javik.

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Police Problem

Images of officers taking selfies with the Capitol rioters have revived questions of police bias. It's a problem multiple major democracies are dealing with.

1. Brazil

In 2019, police in the South American nation killed almost six times as many people as police in the U.S. — and the vast majority of them were Black. It's no coincidence in a nation with deep-seated racism. But like in America, institutionalized racism has received a boost in recent years under the controversial leadership of President Jair Bolsonaro.

2. India

Police bias also extends to religion — especially if you're Muslim in today's India. In a 2019 study of 12,000 police officers, half of the respondents said Muslims were "naturally prone towards committing crimes" while a third said mob violence against those accused of cow slaughter was "natural."

3. Germany

Multiple states have suspended or are probing police officers amid growing evidence of neo-Nazi ties. But Chancellor Angela Merkel's government continues to downplay these concerns. The bright spot? The city of Berlin, which has started new training for police officers to try to curb the problem.

Today on 'The Carlos Watson Show'

In talking to today's most influential figures, there's one name we can't skip: Dr. Anthony Fauci. The famed immunologist joins Carlos today to discuss why the COVID-19 vaccine should be trusted. He shares stories about his background in AIDS research, the secret to good communication and his favorite basketball player. Watch later today.

Global Faucis

While you wait for that episode, meet Fauci's peers, who — like him — are the faces of their countries' battles against the pandemic.

1. Salim Abdool Karim

The South African epidemiologist was publicly branded a traitor by the country's health minister when he took on then-President Thabo Mbeki for questioning the science on HIV/AIDS. Twenty years and two presidents later, South Africa's government turned to the 60-year-old Karim to lead its COVID-19 response. No African country has been hit worse by the pandemic than South Africa. Yet like his longtime friend Fauci in the U.S., he has retained the public's respect. And in December Fauci and Karim jointly received the prestigious John Maddox Award for the defense of science.

2. Gagandeep Kang

She built her first lab at home at the age of 12. Now the infectious disease specialist is building trust in medical science in the world's second-most populous nation. The first female Indian scientist to be elected a fellow of the Royal Society of London, Kang is among the most prominent experts to publicly assuage concerns over COVID-19 vaccines in India. She's a member of the board of the Norway-based Coalition for Epidemic Preparedness Innovations, one of the key groups involved in the WHO's global coronavirus vaccine project, COVAX.

3. Hugo López-Gatell Ramírez

He cut his teeth as an epidemiologist during the 2009 swine flu, three years after receiving his Ph.D. from Johns Hopkins University. A decade later, López-Gatell Ramírez is leading Mexico's response to COVID-19, bringing years of experience and controversial ideas to the table. He opposed calls for Mexico to seal its borders early in the pandemic and so far he hasn't introduced a national mask mandate, arguing that it might make people complacent.

While we're on the virus, here's a quiz. Which nation is expected to vaccinate its entire population first?

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2021: Year of Sports?

Enough with the bad news. It's Friday, after all. And if you're a sports fan, 2021 could be made for you.

1. Hoops Magic

It's on and it's set to stay that way in the NBA all the way until May (enough with the rhyme, Charu!). The 2020-21 season kicked off in late December. Expect continuing drama on the court — and on the sidelines, as America's politics shadow the sports world.

2. Tokyo Test

Athletes from around the world are expected to gather in July in the Japanese capital for the delayed Summer Olympics. Japan wants audiences in the stands, and is relying on tech solutions to ensure the games go on safely. If it succeeds, it can count itself the ultimate winner — no matter where it ends up in the medal count.

3. Soccer Extravaganza

Like the Olympics, the soccer world had to postpone two of its marquee events. This year, both the Euro and the Copa America, the top tournaments of European and South American national teams, will take place for a month starting June 11. You can watch one game in the morning and another at night, bookending your days with magic.

Great Nature Documentaries

Want to travel this weekend? Sit back and roam distant parts of the world with these films.

1. Magical Andes

Journey alongone of the planet's most majestic mountain ranges, from Argentina to Colombia's Caribbean region. The breathtaking panoramas and vivid colors will hold you, but it's the stories of the region's people that'll leave you craving more.

2. Tawai: A Voice From the Forest

Put asidethe arrogance of modern civilization and join explorer Bruce Parry as he travels from the Amazon to Borneo to listen and learn from Indigenous communities that have lived there for thousands of years.

3. Virunga

Named for the national park in eastern Congo that hosts the world's only remaining mountain gorillas, this riveting documentary tracks a group of brave rangers as they try to save the endangered creatures — and themselves — amid a brewing war.

What's your favorite nature documentary?

viernes, 8 de enero de 2021

‘Remove Trump’ Chorus Grows