News roundup for Fri, Jan 28, 2022

The U.S. Department of Commerce has warned that the country is facing a severe shortage of semiconductors, which could lead to production halts across industries. Car manufacturers and medical device producers are expected to be hit the hardest, as they rely heavily on these critical components. This crisis highlights the fragility of global supply chains and the growing dependency on advanced manufacturing. Meanwhile, unusual weather patterns have been reported in Saudi Arabia, Egypt, and Jerusalem, with snowfall recorded in regions not typically accustomed to such conditions. In parts of Egypt, where buildings are rarely designed for extreme cold, residents are particularly concerned about the impact on their homes and daily lives. In West Africa, political instability continues to spread. A recent coup in Burkina Faso saw the military take control, suspending the constitution and closing borders. Neighboring countries are watching closely, fearing the ripple effects of unrest. In both Burkina Faso and Mali, citizens have reached out to foreign powers like France and Russia for support, signaling a power vacuum that could reshape regional dynamics. A tweet from BNO News on January 24, 2022, stated: “Burkina Faso's army says it has ousted President Kabore, suspended the constitution, dissolved government, and closed the border – REU.” This event marks another chapter in the ongoing struggle for stability in the region. On a different note, breast milk banks are struggling with a significant drop in donations during the pandemic. Despite rising demand for donor milk—especially for preterm infants and those at risk of necrotizing enterocolitis—supplies have fallen by over 20% in the past two years. This shortage raises concerns about the availability of life-saving nutrition for vulnerable babies. President Biden has shown strong support for the Right to Repair movement, opposing anti-competitive practices and urging the FTC to develop new regulations. This move reflects a broader push toward consumer empowerment and fair competition in the tech sector. Globally, the number of confirmed COVID-19 cases has surpassed 366.4 million, with over 5.65 million deaths reported. The U.S. remains the hardest-hit nation, with 74.6 million total cases and nearly 901,000 deaths. While daily case numbers are declining, death tolls continue to rise, with an average of 2,400 fatalities per day. Experts warn that many of these deaths were preventable. Omicron-specific vaccines are now in development, with Pfizer and BioNTech launching trials comparing an Omicron-based vaccine to the original version. While some advocate for bivalent vaccines targeting multiple variants, this step shows progress in adapting to the evolving virus. Therapeutics for COVID-19 are also in short supply, with some being distributed through lottery systems. Meanwhile, a lab worker in Taiwan was infected with the Delta variant in a lab accident last November, exposing over 100 colleagues. The lab’s transparency in reporting the incident underscores the real risks of handling such pathogens. Vaccines have proven to be one of the most effective tools in reducing mortality. A recent tweet highlighted that getting vaccinated and receiving a booster can reduce the risk of dying from COVID-19 by up to 99%. As the Omicron wave continues, public health officials stress the importance of vaccination and booster shots. Omicron appears to be highly transmissible, even among those who have previously been infected. Up to two-thirds of those infected with Omicron had prior exposure to other variants. The BA.2 subvariant, a descendant of Omicron, is also spreading rapidly, though its characteristics remain under study.

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