Post-pandemic, CDC faces ‘uphill battle’ for backing in new Congress
WASHINGTON — Three years into the COVID-19 pandemic, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s flaws have never been more public or politicized, and the agency’s director wants to seize this moment to overhaul the agency, making it more nimble and responsive to public health emergencies.
But there’s one major problem — she needs Congress’ help. And she is losing key allies.
CDC Director Rochelle Walensky argues that in order to make her agency more effective, it needs expanded authorities and capabilities. But congressional Republicans say they want more oversight.
Walensky said she’s amenable to such oversight and will testify whenever called. But she also wants to prove to lawmakers the importance of long-term public health funding.
—CQ-Roll Call
‘Enough is enough!’ Striking UC workers say they are weary but won’t give up
LOS ANGELES — During the fifth week of the historic strike by UC academic workers, hundreds of demonstrators converged on the UCLA campus, shouting for better pay and benefits, and forcing the delay of a regent’s meeting, as picketers said they were determined to show that winter break will not erode their momentum.
The striking student workers rallied outside UCLA’s Luskin Center, where the UC Regents were scheduled to meet Wednesday morning. They shouted “Shut it down!” and jammed along with Tom Morello, former guitarist with Rage Against the Machine, who led the assembly in songs that included lines like, “Sí, se puede!” and “Hold the line!”
It was the latest action in the protracted standoff over wages and other issues between UC leaders and 36,000 striking academic student workers as the 10-campus system embarked on winter break and stalled negotiations spurred the union to agree with UC’s request to bring in an independent mediator.
Standing on the flatbed of a truck, Rafael Jaime, president of UAW 2865, a union that represents 19,000 graduate teaching assistants, researchers and tutors, spoke about what’s at stake. “We right now are in the midst of one of the most important struggles for the future of public higher education,” he said. “Enough is enough! … We have the potential to chart a new path for UC that serves workers, students and the people of California.”
—Los Angeles Times
New York barring the sale of dog, cats and rabbits at pet stores
ALBANY, N.Y. — New York is banning pet stores from selling cats, dogs and rabbits.
Gov. Kathy Hochul on Thursday signed a bill into law aimed at cracking down on high-volume breeding facilities, known as puppy mills, that have a reputation for poor living conditions, animal abuse and often produce animals with health issues.
“Shutting down the abhorrent puppy mill pipeline that has long funneled sick and dying animals to New York state pet stores will go a long way in shutting down puppy mills nationwide,” said sponsor Assemblywoman Linda Rosenthal, a Manahattan Democrat. “Animals endure horrific abuse inside these cruel breeding factories, producing offspring that are genetically damaged and chronically ill.
“The signing of this law sends a message that New York state will prioritize the humane treatment of animals over the financial interests of a barbaric industry that inflicts pain on animals and consumers alike,” she added.
—New York Daily News
Ukraine rules out cease-fire as it presses allies for military aid
KYIV, Ukraine — Ukraine's military leadership on Thursday ruled out a cease-fire between New Year's and the Orthodox Christmas holiday as it presses its allies to keep the flow of weapons coming so it can more effectively ward off the ongoing Russian invasion.
"I mean that there will be a complete cease-fire from our side only when there is no occupier left on our soil," General Oleksiy Hromov said at a press conference. It comes a day after the Kremlin announced that no cease-fire was planned for the upcoming holidays at the beginning of January.
At present, the situation on the front had "not changed significantly," Hromov said.
In the Luhansk region, however, Ukrainian troops had advanced about 1.5 kilometers towards the small town of Kreminna. In the south of the country, Russian troops shelled the city of Kherson, which was liberated by the Ukrainian army in November. According to Ukrainian authorities, two people were killed and two wounded. As a result of the shelling, the city is without electricity.
—dpa
