Las Notis is a daily news column that gets you up to speed on the political, media + other going ons in Latin America and the diaspora—all in one quick digest.
- Here’s your glimpse at what’s going on today:
- According to data from Johns Hopkins University, January has been the deadliest month of COVID-19 since the start of the pandemic. As of Tuesday, the data shows that there have been more than 79,000 coronavirus deaths in the country, which is a few thousand more than a record set by the U.S. in December. [CNN]
- Joe Biden is moving ahead with action on climate change. He’s expected to discuss climate job creation and scientific integrity this afternoon, the same day he plans to sign a climate change package via executive orders that would elevate climate change at every level of the federal government and help the U.S. reduce its share of emissions. His nominations for energy secretary, veteran affairs secretary, and ambassador to the United Nations will also face Senate hearings today. [NYT]
- The Justice Department rescinded Trump’s “zero tolerance” enforcement policy, which resulted in thousands of family separations and children put into detention centers. Acting Attorney General Monty Wilkinson issued the new memo to federal prosecutors this week and explained that the department would return to its previous policy. “Consistent with this longstanding principle of making individualized assessments in criminal cases, I am rescinding–effective immediately–the policy directive,” Wilkinson wrote. [AP]
- As Mexico continues to see intensely high rates of coronavirus deaths, the demand for oxygen canisters has led to frauds, robberies, and other crimes against families trying to care for loved ones at home. The country recently posted 1,743 new COVID-19-caused deaths, adding to its total of 152,000 fatalities. [NBC]
- Puerto Rico has announced a state of emergency until June 30, 2022 over the number of gender-based violence incidents on the island, which activists who have kept track of the killings of women and transgender people have pointed out for years. Gov. Pedro Pierluisi, who was sworn in earlier this month, announced an executive order that will introduce new programs aimed at protecting vulnerable individuals and preventing violence. [CNN]
- The board of directors at the food company Goya has decided CEO Robert Unanue, who has vocally supported Donald Trump, will not be allowed to speak to the media without the board’s permission. The board voted on the decision after Unanue made public comments about Trump and regurgitated unfounded claims about voter fraud. [CNN]
- Selena Gomez has announced she’ll launch a Spanish-language EP called Revelación on March 12. After dropping the song “De Una Vez” earlier this month, she shared that she has a collaboration with Rauw Alejandro called “Baila Conmigo” coming out on Friday ahead of the EP. [Billboard]