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Here are the headlines you Need2Know for Friday, April 29, 2022:
UKRAINE: NO END IN SIGHT
As Russia’s invasion shows no signs of slowing, President Joe Biden asked Congress for an additional $33 billion to provide Ukraine with more ammunition, artillery and other military supplies, plus five months of economic and humanitarian assistance. In the meantime, Russia revived its assault on Kyiv as a large explosion set a building ablaze, putting an end to weeks of peace in Ukraine’s capital. In the east, Ukrainian military officials said Russian forces are "exerting intense fire" on multiple fronts, including a push to break through in the Izium region. NY TIMES
KIDS’ VAX
Moderna is seeking emergency use authorization from the FDA for its Covid-19 vaccine for children younger than 6. No vaccines have been authorized for children younger than 5 in the U.S., so a new authorization would open up the jab to about 18 million people. While Moderna hopes to provide two low-dose shots to protect babies and toddlers by the end of the summer, the authorization doesn’t mean all children under 6 can get the jabs immediately. It would be up to the CDC to recommend whether all the younger kids can be vaccinated, or just those at a higher risk. AP
We’re just glad to be talking about someone other than Pfizer.
DENMARK PAUSES JABS
Denmark is the first country to stop vaccinating for Covid, as the European nation is suspending its program for now. “Spring has arrived, vaccine coverage in the Danish population is high, and the epidemic has reversed,” the Danish Health Authority said. With 89% of people over the age of 12 in Denmark fully vaccinated against COVID and 76% boosted, the country will stop sending out invitations for vaccinations on May 15. It’s not a permanent suspension, though, as health authorities plan to restart vaccinations in the fall ahead of an expected uptick in infections. CNBC
Cue Fauci rebuttal.
AMAZON REPORTS HUGE LOSS
Tech giant Amazon suffered its first quarterly loss in seven years, dropping $3.8 billion as consumers hit the brakes on online shopping. The tech giant is grappling with several challenges, including higher costs, supply chain disruptions and labor issues. This compares with last year’s Q1 $8.1 billion profit that Amazon tallied amid the pandemic-fueled online shopping spree. Amazon’s stock plunged in after-hours trading. WSJ
Hello, Amazon Prime price increase.
MENTHOL CIGARETTE BAN
The FDA is proposing a ban on sales of menthol-flavored cigarettes in the United States, potentially wiping out a third of all cigarettes sold in the U.S. each year. Under the FDA rule, menthol cigarettes and flavored cigars would be prohibited, but menthol e-cigarettes would not. The proposed ban wouldn’t take effect for at least two years due to a long review process and tobacco companies filing lawsuits against the FDA. About 18.6 million Americans smoke menthols, which is about 36% of all smokers. NY TIMES
Vicks VapoRub is next.
BIDEN’S DEBT FORGIVENESS
President Joe Biden said he is considering ways to reduce student debt burdens, though he ruled out forgiving $50,000 in loans to every borrower. The White House has, however, indicated that Biden may support lawmakers’ proposal to eliminate $10,000 per borrower, something he promised on the campaign trail despite remaining vague on whether he will use executive powers to do so. Yesterday, Biden canceled the loans of 28,000 student borrowers who attended a now-defunct chain of cosmetology schools, amounting to $238 million in relief. CHEDDAR
While you’re canceling debts…
SNAP DRONE
Snap is launching its first flying camera. Pixy, a self-operating mini drone small enough to fit in your pocket, is now available online for $230 in the U.S. and France. The drone is designed to be a companion to the Snapchat app; users can automatically transfer up to 100 videos or 1,000 photos from flights into their Snapchat Memories. Perhaps its most impressive feature is the ability to take off and land right in your palm. Pixy automatically tracks you as you move around, so when users are ready to end the flight, they open their hand and the mini drone returns. THE VERGE
What could possibly go wrong?
USPS SUED OVER TRUCKS
Sixteen states and multiple environmental activist groups are suing the U.S. Postal Service to block its purchase of 148,000 gas-guzzling delivery trucks over the next decade. Three separate lawsuits argue that the mail service made false assumptions and miscalculations to justify spending $11 billion on gasoline-powered vehicles that are only marginally better for the environment than the 30-year-old vehicles currently in service. The new fleet, however, will include around 5,000 electric-powered vehicles, and Postmaster Louis DeJoy said more could be ordered, depending on available federal funding. CNBC
Elon Musk's reaction:
OKLAHOMA ABORTION BILL
Another red state is making abortion illegal in most cases. The Oklahoma House approved an abortion ban that prohibits the procedure after about six weeks of pregnancy, before many women are even aware of their pregnancy. The bill now heads to Oklahoma’s Republican Gov. Kevin Stitt, who is all but certain to sign it into law. Although Stitt earlier this year signed legislation that makes performing an abortion a felony in Oklahoma, that does not take effect until later in the summer. The current bill includes an emergency provision, so it will go into effect as soon as the governor signs it, which is expected in the coming days. AXIOS
NFL DRAFT RESULTS
The Jacksonville Jaguars selected University of Georgia defensive end Travon Walker as the first overall pick in the first round of the NFL Draft in Las Vegas. Pro football teams picked 32 college players yesterday; six more rounds are set today and Saturday. First-round takeaways: Another defensive end, Michigan’s Aidan Hutchinson, is next at No. 2; UGA’s defense lands a record five in the first round; Pittsburgh Steelers go “next door” for Pitt pick; Eagles make blockbuster trade for Titans’ A.B. Brown; Cardinals trade first-rounder for the Ravens’ “Hollywood” Brown. ESPN
BECAUSE WE'RE ALL WATCHING SOMETHING THIS WEEKEND…
Stuck scrolling through your streaming service not knowing what to watch? Cheddar’s digital team is here to help, offering its weekly streaming recommendations which include a new police drama series, a stand-up special and a show about children running errands. CHEDDAR
**LOVE **HATE **ATE
One thing we love: The NFL draft. Seeing someone achieve a lifelong dream on live TV never gets old.
One thing we hate: Earbuds running out of battery.
One thing we ate: Shrimp scampi for National Shrimp Scampi Day.
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