* The US saw 58,812 new COVID-19 infections on Monday, bringing the 7-day rolling average to 64,795 a day
* Another 1,566 Americans died of COVID-19 yesterday, a decrease of just 8% from the prior week. Deaths declined by more than 20% between February 15 and February 22, by comparison
* But vaccinations are accelerating, with 1.8 million shots being given a day in the US, where nearly 77 million total doses have been administered
* Dr Rochelle Walensky, CDC director warned Monday she was 'really worried' that states would reopen amid vaccinations and promising case declines, and turn the case plateau into a fourth wave
* States are indeed reopening, with NYC allowing minimal indoor dining, Massachusetts removed capacity caps, and Kansas City, Missouri's bars can now be open during regular business hours
Despite the accelerating rollout of vaccines in the US - and the addition of Johnson & Johnson's shot - which has seen nearly 77 million Americans get one or more doses, the nation is seeing diminishing declines in new infections, with 58,812 new infections reported Monday.
CDC director Dr Rochelle Walensky warned yesterday that she is 'really worried' about states reopening as cases plateau and holes in immunity offer an opportunity for dangerous new variants to derail American progress against the pandemic.
But that is not stopping states.
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MIDDLE EAST
France, allies to lodge complaint at UN nuclear watchdog over Iran's activities.
France's Macron tells Iran 'clear gestures' needed to revive nuclear deal.
US imposes sanctions on two Yemen Houthi rebel commanders.
Lebanon’s embattled currency hits new record low.
Erdogan promises stronger freedoms, human rights in Turkey.
Kuwait reappoints oil, finance ministers in new Cabinet.
ASIA
Anti-coup protesters clash with security forces in Myanmar.
Pentagon concerned by U.N. report indicating possible North Korea nuclear reprocessing.
Afghanistan: 3 female media workers shot dead.
Chinese Australians discriminated against as Canberra-Beijing tensions boil over: Lowy report.
An extra 200 billionaires were created in China last year as the country's economy outpaced the rest of the world among Covid pandemic.
Australian economy storms ahead as COVID recovery turns 'V-shaped'.
AFRICA
Gunmen release nearly 300 schoolchildren kidnapped in Nigeria.
Africa virus fight boosted as jabs reach Nigeria, DRC and Angola.
UN seeks $266 mn to feed refugees in Covid-hit E.Africa.
Algerian students restart weekly protests cut off by virus.
EUROPE
EU, US impose sanctions on Russia over Alexei Navalny poisoning.
EU, under pressure over vaccine rollouts, considers switch to emergency approvals.
Germany plans to extend coronavirus lockdown to March 28.
Coronavirus: Austria and Denmark break ranks with EU on vaccines.
Coronavirus: AstraZeneca admits huge vaccine shortfall for EU.
Denmark becomes the first European nation to tell Syrian refugees they must return home, saying the country is now safe.
Armenian president refuses to sign PM’s repeated motion to dismiss General Staff chief.
Sarkozy says could take corruption appeal to European human rights court.
AMERICAS
Covid-19 variants could fuel fourth surge in United States, warns CDC.
Texas becomes biggest US state to lift coronavirus mask mandate.
FBI director faces lawmaker frustration over Capitol breach.
FBI chief Christopher Wray accuses US Capitol attackers of domestic terrorism.
Venezuela's Guaido, U.S. Secretary of State Blinken discuss 'return to democracy'.
Ecuador names new health minister after COVID vaccine scandal.
Guatemala begins reshaping court; corruption concerns grow.
California crash kills 13 of 25 people crammed into SUV.
TERRORISM/THE LONG WAR
‘Constant fear’: Iraq and Syria face ISIL resurgence.
Prominent Islamic State leaders killed in Iraq.
ISIS and Al-Qaeda’s Sub-Saharan affiliates are poised for growth in 2021.
Jamal Khashoggi report spurs 9/11 families to push Joe Biden to release classified documents about the role the Saudis played in the 2001 terror attacks.
ECONOMY/FINANCE/BUSINESS
Stocks drift lower on Wall Street; yields continue to ease.
Rio Tinto chairman resigns over Aboriginal site destruction.
