Good morning. It's Wednesday, April 14, and we're covering a pause in the Johnson & Johnson vaccine, a possible end to America's longest war, and more. Have feedback? Let us know at [email protected].

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NEED TO KNOW

Johnson & Johnson Pause

Federal health officials in the US recommended yesterday that states temporarily pause the use of Johnson & Johnson's COVID-19 vaccine, while agencies review reports of blood clotting incidents. The recommendation falls short of an actual order to stop—though all 50 states followed suit—and agency scientists meet today to review case data. 

To date, six cases of a rare blood clotting disorder known as cerebral venous sinus thrombosis (clots in the brain's sinus veins) have been observed, out of more than 6.8 million doses administered of the single-shot vaccine. The natural occurrence of CVST is about five in 1 million adults per year. 

The incidents are similar to what has been observed in Europe's use of the AstraZeneca vaccine, and all six cases have occurred in women aged 18 to 48 and arose in the second week post-vaccination. 

Federal distribution sites, including mass vaccination operations, will pause use of the drug. To date, the vast majority of vaccines delivered have been from Pfizer/BioNTech (119 million doses) and Moderna (103 million doses), compared to 16 million doses from Johnson & Johnson. However, the logistical convenience of the one-dose regimen has been viewed as key to accelerating distribution.

The US is averaging around 750 daily COVID-19 deaths, down 6% over the past week—despite new cases rising by 7% over the same timeframe (see data). The US has vaccinated almost 80% of those aged 65 and over, the most vulnerable age group, and experts say the next two weeks will show whether the death toll has begun to decouple from case rates. 

Chauvin Defense Begins

The prosecution in the murder trial of former Minneapolis police officer Derek Chauvin rested its case yesterday, turning the floor over to the defense on the 12th day of the proceedings. Chauvin faces three charges—second-degree unintentional murder, third-degree murder, and second-degree manslaughter—in the May killing of George Floyd. Read what is required to prove each charge here.

The trial has broadly focused on two lines of questioning. First, whether Chauvin's restraint—a technique known as prone restraint, which Chauvin applied for more than nine minutes—followed proper training. Second, whether drugs in Floyd's system, along with his general health, were the primary cause of death. 

The prosecution called more than three dozen witnesses; see an overview of each witness and their testimony here. The defense called a number of witnesses on its first day, including an ex-girlfriend of Floyd and an officer involved in a 2019 drug-related arrest of Floyd (see overview). 

Separately, Brooklyn Center, Minnesota, police officer Kim Potter, who shot and killed 20-year-old Daunte Wright Sunday just 10 miles from where Chauvin's trial is being held, resigned yesterday. Potter, a 26-year police veteran, has said she mistakenly grabbed her gun instead of her Taser. The suburb's chief of police resigned as well—a charging decision is expected today.

Iran Ramps Enrichment

Iran announced yesterday that it will begin enriching uranium up to 60% purity at its Natanz nuclear facility after an apparent attack on the facility earlier this week, which Iran has blamed on Israel. It would mark an unprecedented level of enrichment for the country, though still short of weapons-grade uranium, which requires 90% purity to produce a nuclear weapon.

Under the 2015 nuclear deal, Iran was to keep levels under 3.67%—suitable for commercial nuclear power—until at least 2030, but resumed 20% enrichment after the US pulled out of the deal in 2018. The attack and subsequent news came as the US, Iran, and other world powers attempt to restart talks around the nuclear agreement. 

Separately, President Biden announced the US will withdraw all troops from Afghanistan by Sept. 11—the 20th anniversary of the World Trade Center attack—delaying the current May 1 deadline. 

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IN THE KNOW

Sports, Entertainment, & Culture

> Univision and Televisa, two of the world’s largest Spanish-language networks, announce $4.8B deal to merge content and production into new company Televisa-Univision (More)

> Lee Aaker, former child actor best-known as star of “The Adventures of Rin Tin Tin,” dies at 77 (More) | Disney announces inclusive dress code changes for employees, allowing gender-inclusive costumes and visible tattoos (More)

> Soccer: Paris-Saint Germain knocks out defending champs Bayern Munich to advance to UEFA Champions League semifinal; Chelsea also advances (More) | The 1440 Guide to European Soccer (More)

Science & Technology

> Study finds a subset of neural stem cells—cells that differentiate into specialized neurons—age more rapidly than other cells, likely playing a role in natural cognitive decline as organisms age (More)

> CRISPR study suggests modified mosquitoes can be gene edited to allow the inheritance of antimalarial traits in offspring, providing a possible route to eliminating malaria (More) | CRISPR 101 (More)

> Northrop Grumman makes second successful docking of its Mission Extension Vehicle, a spacecraft that latches on to old satellites to extend their life span (More)

Business & Markets

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> Cryptocurrency trading giant Coinbase sets reference point of $250 per share ahead of today’s highly anticipated direct listing initial public offering (More)

> Southeast Asian ride-hailing giant Grab to go public via SPAC valuing company at near $40B; the largest SPAC of all time (More) | Forbes releases annual Midas List of top 100 venture capitalists (More)

> US consumer prices increased 0.6% last month, representing the largest gain since August 2012 (More)

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Politics & World Affairs

> US intelligence community releases 2021 annual threat assessment, lists China, North Korea, Russia, and Iran as top threats; finds Taliban peace deal unlikely (More)

> Taiwan says China flew an estimated 25 fighter jets into its airspace in a show of force; China has adopted an increasingly aggressive stance toward the disputed island following crackdown in Hong Kong (More) | US warns China, stops short of committing to full defense (More)

> President Joe Biden holds call with Russian President Vladimir Putin; proposes a summit held in a third country, raises concerns over military buildup on Ukraine border (More) | House Speaker Nancy Pelosi invites Biden to address Congress April 28 (More) | Photos from ceremony honoring slain US Capitol Police officer William Evans (More)

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ETCETERA

The 100 best companies to work for in 2021.

What America's teens are thinking.

The world's biggest rabbit has gone missing. 

West Virginia wants to pay you $12,000 to move there.

What a spider's web sounds like.

Pentagon says leaked video of UFOs buzzing Navy ships is legit.

Brazil's newest (even bigger) Jesus Christ statue.

Ten-year-old tennis star never hits a backhand.

Clickbait: Alcoholic monkey slapped with a life sentence.

Historybook: "Webster’s Dictionary" is first published (1828); President Abraham Lincoln is mortally wounded by John Wilkes Booth, dies the next day (1865); RIP marine biologist and environmentalist Rachel Carson (1964); Human Genome Project is completed (2003).

"Those who dwell among the beauties and mysteries of the earth are never alone or weary of life."

- Rachel Carson

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