Good morning. It's Wednesday, Jan. 27, and an anticancer compound derived from sea squirts may have powerful COVID-19-fighting properties. Have feedback? Let us know at [email protected].

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NEED TO KNOW

CDC Urges School Reopenings

The total number of COVID-19 cases reported worldwide surpassed 100 million yesterday, with more than 2.1 million deaths (see dashboard). Five countries—the US (25 million), India (11 million), Brazil (8.8 million), Russia (3.7 million), and the UK (3.7 million)—make up more than half of all reported cases. 

In the US, where cases have fallen by about 30% over the past two weeks (see previous write-up), the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention called for schools to begin returning students to the classroom. The decision cited accumulating evidence in districts where schools have opened that in-person learning has not contributed meaningfully to community spread of the virus, assuming mitigation measures were in place. See an overview of the data here.

Separately, Johnson & Johnson said it was on track to produce 100 million doses of its COVID-19 vaccine by June, and would present efficacy data early next week. Pending approval, it would become the third available vaccine in the US. Unlike the existing two vaccines, it requires only one shot and can be stored at standard refrigerator temperatures for up to three months (how it works).

As of this morning, the US had distributed more than 44 million vaccine doses, with about 23.5 million administered. Roughly 4,100 COVID-19 deaths were reported yesterday, bringing the total in the US to just over 425,200. See rolling averages for cases and deaths.

Blinken Confirmed

Longtime diplomat Antony Blinken was confirmed as US secretary of state yesterday, passing the US Senate with bipartisan support in a 78-22 vote. Blinken served with then-Vice President Joe Biden as the deputy secretary of state during the Obama administration from 2015 to 2017. Analysts say Blinken is likely to strike a more multilateralist approach than his predecessor—though he has expressed support for the recent Trump administration designation of China's treatment of its Muslim Uighur population as genocide. Blinken becomes the 71st secretary of state (see full list). 

Separately, the Senate voted yesterday to declare the upcoming impeachment trial of former President Trump constitutional, by a 55-45 vote. However, only five GOP senators concurred—Sens. Mitt Romney (UT), Lisa Murkowski (AK), Ben Sasse (NE), Susan Collins (ME), and Pat Toomey (PA). At least 17 Republican votes would be required for a conviction; the trial starts Feb. 9.

Indian Farmers Overtake Red Fort

Tens of thousands of Indian farmers drove tractors into the capital city of Delhi yesterday, clashing with police and overtaking the city's historic Red Fort. It marked one of the most dramatic escalations thus far of protests over proposed agricultural reforms and came as the nation celebrated Republic Day—a holiday roughly akin to Independence Day in the US. 

India's massive agricultural sector—which employs about half the population, but accounts for just 15% of the economy—primarily relies on government-run markets and guaranteed price minimums for key crops. Among other changes, the reforms would allow for deregulated markets (see video explainer), which supporters say is necessary to modernize the industry. The country's farmers, half of which are in debt and have seen an epidemic of suicides, say the policies favor large corporate farms. 

Another large-scale protest is expected Feb. 1, when the country's budget is presented to Parliament.  

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IN THE KNOW

Sports, Entertainment, & Culture

> No former players selected to Baseball Hall of Fame for the first time since 1960; Curt Schilling (71.1%) and Barry Bonds (61.8%) were closest to reaching the threshold of being on 75% of ballots (More)

> CBS suspends two top TV execs following Los Angeles Times investigation into allegations of sexual misconduct and racism at network TV stations (More)

> The 2021 Boston Marathon to be held Oct. 11 after being canceled in 2020 for first time in 123 years due to COVID-19 (More) | Florida submits bid to host 2021 Summer Olympics if Tokyo is unable to host due to pandemic (More)

Science & Technology

> Plitidepsin shown to be 27.5 times more effective in treating COVID-19 than FDA-approved remdesivir in clinical trials; the anticancer compound was originally derived from the Mediterranean sea squirt (More)

> Twitter to open its entire tweet archive to academic researchers for free; move will help inform the study of online social dynamics (More)

> Engineers create a wirelessly controlled soft brain implant that can control certain neural functions and be charged from outside the body (More)

Business & Markets

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> Shares of video game retailer GameStop surge 92% as continued retail-investor rally forces short sellers to cover massive losses (More) | Deeper dive into GameStop’s recent surge (More)

> Earnings season: Starbucks sees lower revenues amid pandemic, with same-store sales down 5% (More) | Microsoft’s Azure cloud business grows 50% as the pandemic accelerates the shift to the cloud (More)

> Buffet pizza chain CiCi’s files for Chapter 11 bankruptcy, with 318 locations to remain open as company evaluates options (More)

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Politics & World Affairs

> The Netherlands imposes curfew after three consecutive nights of escalating violence in anti-lockdown riots; more than 200 people have been arrested for vandalism and looting since Saturday (More)

> Indonesia's biggest volcano emits gas and lava flows; Mount Merapi, located on the densely populated island of Java, killed 347 people during a 2010 eruption (More)

> President Biden signs executive orders phasing out federal use of private prisons, bolstering enforcement of racial equity in housing (More) | ... and is expected to place a moratorium on new leases for oil and gas drilling on federal land (More) | Judge bars Biden order suspending most deportations for 100 days after Texas legal challenge (More) | Justice Department rescinds "zero tolerance" border policy (More)

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ETCETERA

A cut fiber in Brooklyn caused widespread internet outages yesterday.

Astronauts capture image of rare blue jet lightning.

Twenty-five great writers pick 125 years of books that matter. ($$, NYT)

Scientists find Yellowstone's oldest known grizzly bear.

Visualizing countries by their share of the Earth's surface.

Photos from the 2021 Dakar Rally.

Stores drop coconut milk brand over allegations of forced monkey labor.

Design shows China's stunning future open base skyscraper.

Clickbait: This ancient desert civilization was fueled by bird droppings.

Historybook: Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart born (1756); Auschwitz concentration camp is liberated (1945); Paris Peace Accords brings end to Vietnam War (1973); RIP Andre the Giant (1993); RIP American author JD Salinger (2010).

"Be silent, if you choose; but when it is necessary, speak—and speak in such a way that people will remember it."

- Mozart

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