Hong Kongers hold first protest in years under strict rules
Dozens of people on Sunday joined Hong Kong's first authorized protest since the lifting of major COVID-19 restrictions under unprecedentedly strict rules, including wearing a numbered badge around their necks. During the pandemic, protests were rare due to COVID-19 restrictions. In addition, many activists have been silenced or jailed after Beijing imposed a national security law following massive protests in 2019.
news.yahoo.comMA approves spending plan to extend COVID-19 programs including outdoor dining regulations, to-go cocktails
Lawmakers in Massachusetts approved a spending plan that would extend COVID-19 programs including outdoor dining, to-go alcohol sales, and remote access to public meetings.
foxnews.com'Don't Say Gay' lawmaker pleads guilty to COVID relief fraud
The former Florida lawmaker who sponsored the controversial law critics call “Don’t Say Gay” pleaded guilty Tuesday to committing $150,000 in COVID-19 relief fraud. Joseph Harding, a 35-year-old Republican, pleaded guilty in Gainesville federal court to wire fraud, money laundering, and making false statements in connection with COVID-19 relief fraud, according to court records. Harding resigned from the Florida House in December, a day after federal prosecutors announced his indictment.
news.yahoo.comOver $700 million in COVID aid for US schools never made it to the classroom: study
A study by the National Opportunity Project found that $736 million of federal aid has not reached the nonpublic schools and students it was set aside for and at least $157 million has ended up back in the hands of governors
foxnews.comUS agencies debunk Florida surgeon general's vaccine claims
U.S. health agencies have sent a letter to Florida's surgeon general, warning him that his claims about COVID-19 risks are harmful to the public. The letter from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention was sent Friday to Florida Surgeon General Joseph Ladapo. Ladapo was appointed by Republican Gov. Ron DeSantis in 2021 and has attracted national scrutiny over his close alignment with the governor in opposing COVID-19 vaccine mandates and other health policies embraced by the federal government.
news.yahoo.comDuring COVID origins hearing, congressman calls out witness for book on race
During a House Oversight subcommittee hearing on Wednesday about the origins of the COVID-19 pandemic, Rep. Kweisi Mfume called out one of the witnesses, Nicholas Wade, over his book “A Troublesome Inheritance” and the praise it received from white supremacists.
news.yahoo.comGeorgia awards $234M in federal cash for rural broadband
Georgia is awarding $234 million in federal COVID-19 relief fund to construct broadband internet to rural locations. Combined with an earlier round of grants, matching private investment and another federal program, utilities have gotten more than $1.5 billion to expand high-speed connections in Georgia.
EU to try again for coordination on China Covid policies
European Union nations will try again on Wednesday to mold a coordinated approach on if and how to check incoming airline passengers from China for any new COVID-19 variants after several member nations announced individual efforts over the past week.
Canada, Australia impose COVID rules on travelers from China
Australia and Canada have joined a growing list of countries requiring travelers from China to take a COVID-19 test prior to boarding their flight, as China battles a nationwide outbreak of the coronavirus after abruptly easing restrictions that were in place for much of the pandemic.
China vows to drop some travel tracking in COVID rule easing
China said it would stop tracking some travel, potentially reducing the likelihood people will be forced into quarantine for visiting COVID-19 hot spots That's part of an uncertain exit from the strict pandemic policies that helped fuel widespread protests.
The flu, COVID-19 and RSV: Why health experts are concerned about this ‘tripledemic’
Hospitals are filling up with people battling both flu and COVID as well as with pediatric patients suffering from RSV. This is what health experts have deemed as the ‘tripledemic’ and there’s concern that these infections will continue to spread.