Three things for April 13
1. India records surge in COVID-19 cases
People wait for their turn to be administered COVISHIELD vaccine at a government hospital in Hyderabad, India, Monday, April 12, 2021. (AP Photo/Mahesh Kumar A.)
On Monday, April 12, India reported a record daily surge in coronavirus infections, passing Brazil as the country with the second-most reported infections since the pandemic began.
In 24 hours, India’s positive case count rose by 168,912 cases. With this outburst of cases, India reported 904 deaths within 24 hours. For India, this has been the worst seven-day average since the pandemic began.
According to AP News, hospitals are becoming overwhelmed with the increase in patients, and experts worry the worst is still to come.
2. Police claim officer meant to use Taser, not handgun
On Monday, the Minneapolis police chief said the police officer, now identified as Kim Potter, who fatally shot a Black man during a traffic stop, intended to fire a Taser, not a handgun.
Brooklyn Center Police Chief Tim Gannon described the shooting death Sunday of 20-year-old Daunte Wright as “an accidental discharge.” According to Gannon, it happened as police were trying to arrest Wright on an outstanding warrant.
Potter’s bodycam footage was released at a news conference on Monday, where she can be heard shouting “I’ll tase you!” to Wright. Potter is a 26-year veteran of the police force.
Crowds began gathering outside the Brooklyn Center police station late Monday afternoon, with hundreds there by nightfall despite the governor’s dusk-to-dawn curfew, reports AP News.
About 90 minutes after the curfew deadline, police began firing gas canisters and flash-bang grenades, sending clouds wafting over the crowd and chasing some away.
Brooklyn Center Mayor Mike Elliott called the shooting “deeply tragic” and said the officer should be fired.
“We cannot afford to make mistakes that lead to the loss of life of other people,” Elliott said. “We’re going to do everything we can to ensure that justice is done and our communities are made whole.”
Potter has been placed on administrative leave.
3. Chloé Zhao becomes first woman of color to win top DGA honor
Chloé Zhao’s film “Nomadland” won the Best Director award at the 73rd annual Directors Guild Association Awards on Saturday. Zhao is the second woman to earn the honor and the first woman of color to do so.
The untelevised Directors Guild Association Awards was held virtually, with nominees accepting awards over zoom calls from around the world.
In a brief speech, the Chinese filmmaker talked about her fellow nominees, thanking them “for teaching me so much.”
Critics, fans and experts believe Zhao is a frontrunner for the Oscars on April 25.
