Stars and Stripes Daily Headlines

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March 25, 2022 | View in browser

 

Biden visits US troops in Poland, says democracy, not just Ukraine, at stake President Joe Biden told US troops in Poland on Friday that the future of democracy in the world hangs in the balance as Russia continues its month-old war on Ukraine. Read more >

NATO chief underscores the importance of Arctic security amid renewed Russian aggression A failure by NATO to keep a robust Arctic presence could leave it vulnerable as Russia reclaims old Soviet bases and uses the far north as a testing ground for new weapons systems, the alliance’s top official said Friday. Read more >

Air Force faces uphill climb to hit recruiting targets, general says during tour of European bases The U.S. Air Force will struggle to hit its recruiting goal this year as it confronts the toughest hiring environment in nearly a generation, the two-star general in charge of its efforts to enlist new members said. Read more >   Japan’s age of adulthood will soon drop to 18, but they still can’t legally smoke or drink Starting April 1, some teenagers in Japan may sign contracts and rent apartments on their own, but they still can’t legally smoke, drink or gamble, according to a change in Japanese law. Read more >   Airman completes arduous 1,000-mile Iditarod footrace through Alaska wilderness The first active-duty service member to compete in the Iditarod Trail Invitational passed the finish line on Thursday, completing the grueling 1,000-mile-long Alaska footrace in 26 days. Read more >

Review of suicide among troops to focus on Army bases in Alaska, South Korea An independent review ordered this week by Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin will seek out ideas to stem the increasing number of suicides among soldiers stationed in Alaska and South Korea, as well as some stateside installations. Read more >   North Korea boasts ‘new type’ of weapon system after first ICBM test in 5 years North Korea announced it successfully test-fired a new type of intercontinental ballistic missile Thursday and that the country was “fully ready to thoroughly curb and contain any dangerous military attempts” from the United States. Read more >   Groundbreaking held in Texas for Medal of Honor museum Ground was broken Friday for a new museum in Texas to honor those who have been awarded the nation's highest military honor. Read more >   Mexican leader brushes off US allegations of Russia spies Mexican President Andrés Manuel López Obrador on Friday brushed off comments by a senior U.S. military official who said there are more Russian spies in Mexico than anywhere else in the world.v Read more >   Charles G. Boyd, Air Force general and former POW, dies at 83 Charles G. Boyd, a highly decorated Air Force general who was shot down as a fighter pilot during the Vietnam War, endured nearly seven years of captivity and rose to become the only former POW from that conflict promoted to a four-star rank, died March 23 at a hospital in Haymarket, Va. He was 83. Read more >   US general: Ukraine resistance highlights need to prepare Ukraine's stiff resistance to the Russian invasion, which has turned Moscow's advance into a grinding war of attrition, has underscored the importance to American allies of the need to be prepared for any eventuality, the top U.S. Army commander in the Pacific said Friday. Read more >

 

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The Vaccination Campaign

The Local Vaccination Campaign Total People Fully Vaccinated (two doses of Moderna or Pfizer or one dose of Johnson & Johnson) Massachusetts: 5,320,736 (up 4,156 from Thursday) Rhode Island: 859,550 (up 604 from Thursday) Reported changes from the last issue of this newsletter. View all vaccine news and numbers on Globe.com Top Stories: Vaccinations CDC data suggest people who received the Johnson & Johnson COVID-19 vaccine should get boosted with an mRNA vaccine — and maybe even consider a second mRNA booster.

 

 

 

 

The Local Impact Massachusetts:  1,561,670 cases (up 4,421 from Thursday)  ·  18,988 deaths (up 28 from Thursday)  ·  215 hospitalizations (down 19 from Thursday) Rhode Island:  360,759 cases (up 743 from Thursday)  ·  3,522 deaths  ·  51 hospitalizations (down 9 from Thursday) Note: The number of deaths due to COVID-19 in Rhode Island was reportedly adjusted by the state's Department of Public Health. Reported increases or decreases from the last issue of this newsletter. Sources: Massachusetts Department of Public Health Rhode Island Department of Health View all COVID-19 news and numbers on Globe.com Top Stories: COVID-19 Impact With Massachusetts shutting most of its free testing sites and the federal government no longer paying for COVID care and vaccinations for the uninsured, health care leaders are worried. Health experts are warning that crucial data on long COVID is missing because Black Americans have not been sufficiently included in trials, treatment programs, and registries, according to a new report. Massachusetts state Senator Becca Rausch has been the target of pandemic-fueled online hate.

 

 

Across the US and Around the World US 559,976,590 vaccine doses administered 80,006,235 cases 978,291 deaths Sources: Johns Hopkins Centers for Disease Control and Prevention The Most and Least Vaccinated US States (% of population fully vaccinated) Top Ranked Rhode Island (81.5%) Vermont (80.5%) Maine (78.7%) Connecticut (78.4%) Massachusetts (78.1%) Bottom Ranked Alabama (50.6%) Wyoming (51%) Mississippi (51.4%) Louisiana (53.1%) Idaho (53.6%) Source: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Worldwide  10,902,914,552 vaccine doses administered 484,287,698 cases 6,131,280 deaths Source: Johns Hopkins  Top Stories: US and Worldwide Many Americans have taken a step back from engaging in pandemic precautions like wearing masks and avoiding crowds, according to a new poll.  China began its most extensive COVID-19 lockdown in two years this week to conduct testing and try to control an outbreak in Shanghai.  Parents of young children in Massachusetts are seeing a small glimmer of hope after a long two years amid Moderna's announcement that it plans to ask US regulators to approve its vaccine for children 6 months to 5 years.