Here are the headlines you Need2Know for Tuesay, March 16, 2021:
COVID-19: LATEST DEVELOPMENTS
AstraZeneca is strongly defending its coronavirus vaccine after more European countries paused its use, citing a handful of reports of blood clots -- about 40 in the 17 million doses administered. Germany, France, Italy and Spain have temporarily halted the shot, even though the continent is now fully in the grip of a third wave that’s being driven by new variants of the virus. In the U.S., the CDC is warning of another surge as airports have filled back up with Spring Break travelers. The TSA has been screening more than 1 million passengers a day since last week for the first time in a year. AP
BORDER CROSSINGS
The Biden administration is facing one of its first big crises at the southern border. A surge in migrant crossings in recent weeks has the White House taking fire from Republicans, who are calling Biden soft on illegal immigration, as well as some Democrats, who are upset that the administration is carrying over some of the same Trump-era border policies that they deemed to be cruel. More than 4,000 minors are currently being held in overcrowded Border Patrol facilities as they await immigration hearings; the government plans to use the Dallas convention center as a temporary shelter for teenage boys to relieve the overcrowding. FEMA has been deployed to assist. CNN
CAPITOL ARRESTS
The feds are charging two men with assaulting Capitol Police Officer Brian Sicknick with an unknown chemical irritant on Jan. 6. Sicknick died the next day, though his cause of death has not been officially determined. The FBI arrested Julian Khater, 32, of Pennsylvania, and George Tanios, 39, of West Virginia, after identifying them on video as they sprayed Sicknick and other officers with the substance. WASH POST
VATICAN ON GAY MARRIAGE
The Vatican reiterated its official position that the Roman Catholic Church cannot bless same-sex marriages because doing so would be “illicit.” The arm of the Vatican that defends Catholic doctrine was answering a question posed by some progressive parishes that were looking for guidance on how to be more inclusive for gay couples. Pope Francis -- who famously said “Who am I to judge?” when asked about homosexuality -- signed off on the message. NPR
GRAMMY RATINGS
The Grammys continued the COVID-era tradition of big live TV events putting up their all-time worst ratings. Just 9 million people tuned into the show, according to the preliminary Nielsens. While that’s 10 million fewer viewers than last year, it’s actually the best ratings for any awards show of the season. AXIOS
HOMEPOD PLUG PULLED
Not even Apple can figure out the market for ultra-high-end smart speakers. The company is killing off the HomePod, the $300 hi-fi speaker that it unveiled to great anticipation and phenomenal reviews in 2018. The HomePod mini, a smaller and cheaper model with notably lower sound quality, will still be sold. It’s not the first time Apple has cut its losses after experimenting with high-end speakers: many audiophiles will remember the iPod Hi-Fi, which lasted from 2006-07. Google also recently discontinued its hi-fidelity speaker, the Home Max. ARS TECHNICA
BREES ON THE SIDELINES
A day after he announced his retirement from the NFL, former New Orleans Saints QB Drew Brees has signed as a sports analyst with NBC. He will appear on Sunday Night Football as well as college football telecasts, the Super Bowl and the Olympics. On Sunday, Brees told the world he was hanging it up after 20 seasons in the league -- or rather, he let his four kids make the announcement for him: WATCH
OSCAR NOMS
David Fincher’s Mank, an ode to the golden age of Hollywood that was produced and distributed by Netflix, led the Academy Award nominations with 10 nods, including one for Best Picture. This year’s nominee list is among the most diverse in Oscar history. Two women, Emerald Fennell (Promising Young Woman) and Chloé Zhao (Nomadland), are up for Best Director. Zhao is the first woman of color to be nominated in that category. Riz Ahmed (Sound of Metal) is the first Muslim to get nominated for Best Actor, though the smart money has the late Chadwick Boseman (Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom) winning that statue. The ceremony is April 25. FULL LIST
SPOTTED...
… Beijing’s skyline, shrouded in orange dust, as the Chinese capital experiences its biggest sandstorm in a decade: SEE PICS
LEFTOVERS: NEW BUSINESS CARDS
Elon Musk is adding a new title to his repertoire. The Tesla CEO has been officially made the “Technoking of Tesla,” according to a filing made with his nemeses at the SEC. Tesla CFO Zach Kirkhorn has been given the title “Master of Coin.” Both execs will keep their other job titles. YAHOO FINANCE
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