US Sanctions Russia

In response to the sanctions imposed by the United States over the poisoning attempt of Kremlin critic Alexei Navalny, the Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs said the new sanctions were proof of an “anti-Russian lunge” and that such an action would affect US-Russia relations.

US: Enough Vaccines by May

US President Joe Biden said the United States will have enough COVID-19 vaccines for every American adult by the end of May. Biden said the government had invoked the Defense Production Act to help equip two Merck plants to make the Johnson & Johnson vaccine. The company will accelerate the delivery of 100 million vaccine doses by around a month.

Texas Lifts Mask Mandate

Texas Governor, Greg Abbott, issued an executive order, announcing that all businesses may open at full capacity and lifting the state's mask mandate, effective March 10. The executive order is the furthest any US state has gone in lifting COVID-19 restrictions. Health officials worry it is too soon.

Venezuela: Democracy Talks

The US State Department said, Venezuelan opposition leader, Juan Guaido, spoke with US Secretary of State Antony Blinken on Tuesday. The parties discussed the importance of returning to democracy in Venezuela through free and fair elections and the urgent humanitarian needs in the country.