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1 House To Vote On Ending Trade Relations With Russia
Today marks the 20th day of Russia's invasion of Ukraine, a conflict that's resulted in thousands of deaths and forced nearly three-million Ukrainians to flee into neighboring countries. With that in mind, the House is again expected to focus on the war in Ukraine this week. Speaker Nancy Pelosi says they'll take up legislation to end normal trade relations with Russia, as punishment for invading Ukraine. The House already voted to ban imports of Russian oil and Congress approved nearly 14-billion dollars in aid for Ukraine. All this as more talks aimed at bringing the fighting to an end are set to take place today. More talks between Ukraine and Russia are just hours away. Negotiators will pick up where they left off yesterday in continued efforts towards peace.
2 Explosion In Mexico Kills Two, Injures 19
Officials say two people are dead and 19 others injured after a gas leak explosion in Mexico. The explosion happened at a restaurant in Playa del Carmen, south of Cancun. According to reports, some of those involved were tourists, with at least eight people sent to the hospital, after a gas tank exploded in the kitchen of the restaurant. This was at least the third deadly explosion in the last dozen years in Playa del Carmen, including a 2018 incident where four Americans were killed, and a 2010 explosion where seven people died.
3 CDC Could Lose Access To Key COVID-19 Metrics
CDC officials say the agency could lose access to key COVID-19 data that allows them to track the virus. The warning came Monday as a wide array of emergency powers would end that were in place for the years-long pandemic. CDC Director Dr. Rochelle Walensky tells CBS News that while the agency can compile the data, they don't have the authority to collect it. Under the public health emergency first declared in 2020 under former President Donald Trump, the government can access many funds and authorities to curb outbreaks (but it must be extended every 90 days). Meanwhile, the latest variant of COVID appears to be the lovechild of Delta and Omicron. Baylor infectious disease expert Dr. Peter Hotez says it's called DeltaCron and involves the mixing and matching of Delta and Omicron in a person infected with both viruses. Dr. Hotez says he's more concerned about a sub-variant of omicron, which is spreading like wildfire in Europe.